A geomorphological and speleological approach in the study of hydrogeology of gypsum karst of Sorbas (SE Spain)

Auteurs :
SANNA, L.
GAZQUEZ, F.
CALAFORRA, J.-M.

Description :
The Sorbas massif (Almeria, SE Spain) is one of most karstified gypsiferous areas of the world, with hundreds of dolines and different karst features. In this massif more than 1000 caves have been discovered in an area of about 12 km2. Its Messinian gypsum, deposited in a Neogene intra-montane basin, is composed of continuous strata of very pure selenite. The purpose of this research is to identify the main karst geomorphological features and to integrate these data with hydrogeological records for better understanding the role of the karst aquifer in the groundwater recharge of the Aguas River. This study took place in the southern part of the Sorbas gypsum plateau with several steps and multiple field campaigns for geo-morphological and geostructural data compilation and to record the different karst forms. Also water samples from the main springs have been collected for geochemical analysis. All field items have been inventoried with corresponding spatial position and compared with the previously existing information. Subsequently, an exhaustive data elaboration was performed leading to the definition of the karst features of the area, rendered by maps. To assess the extent of karstification, the spatial analysis of the cave entrance’s distribution together with structural alignments have been studied. - (NF)


Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Geografia fisica e dinamica quaternaria, issn : 0391-9838, 2012, vol. 35, n°. 2, p. 153-166, nombre de pages : 14, Références bibliographiques : 33 ref.

Date :
2012

Editeur :
Pays édition : Italie, Torino, Comitato glaciologico italiano