GEOMORPHOLOGICAL, HYDROGEOLOGICAL AND GROUNDWATER QUALITY ANALYSIS IN KARST SYSTEMS OF THE CENTRAL-WESTERN PART OF METALIFERI MOUNTAINS

Abstract

This scientific study focuses on the relatively lesser-known karst areas in the central-western part of Metaliferi Mountains. These surfaces display pronounced spatial fragmentation, forming limestone klippes with well-defined karst systems of geomorphic and hydrogeological complexity. Using GIS and statistical methods, the study highlights the morphological and distributional traits of the identified karst forms. Additionally, the area was analysed from a hydrogeological standpoint to explore the connections between the identified insurgences and exsurgences, and the impact of the karst environment on the chemical characteristics of karst waters. The geomorphological analysis reveals a clustered and non-uniform arrangement of depression forms, as shown by the nearest neighbour index, with a quasi-circular shape highlighted by the Circularity Index. From a hydrogeological perspective, there is an increase in carbonate ions (HCO3-) and calcium ions (Ca2+), along with a decrease in Fe and Al ions, indicating possible alluvium presence as a filter. The comparison of these values with legal thresholds demonstrates a high water quality in the analysed karst exurgences.