Flow dynamics and erosion rate of a representative karst basin (Upper Aniene River, Central Italy)

Abstract

Experimental data refer to a preliminary estimate of suspended solid and solute load of a perennial river. The basin is composed almost entirely of bare mesozoic, highly fractured, karstified carbonate rocks of the central Apennine range. The suspended solid load related to stormflow events in 1991 corresponds to about 14,970 t yr−1. For the same period the solute load is 60,060 t yr−1 for a mean base flow discharge of 9.4 m3 s−1. Based on the mean concentration of Ca + Mg in water, the value of dissolution of carbonate rocks of 37.1 m3 km−2 (equivalent approximately to 0.04 mm yr−1) was calculated. Physical and chemical variations that occur during storm events indicate the complex dynamic processes in the karst aquifer and the role undertaken by the epikarst as perched water reservoir and by the major conduits that develop through the vadose and saturated zones of the karst system.