Measurements in karstology

Modern karstology relies on accurate measurements of different physical and chemical parameters in karst systems. Parameters such as water discharge and level, specific electric conductivity, concentration of dyes, temperature, hydrochemical parameters etc. are nowadays continuously monitored in karst systems. Easy handling with instruments and data collection can mislead the researcher to uncritical collection and evaluation of obtained data. Students will learn principles of measurements of different quantities in karst system as well as data handling and analyses. Students will get practical experience with some of the most common instrumentation.

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• Measurements of basic physical parameters
• Sensors
• Resolution, accuracy and calibration of instruments
• Measurements of the discharge and water levels
• Measurements of climatic parameters
• Measurements of chemical parameters of natural waters
• Experimental set-ups
• Data storage and transfer
• Error analysis
• Data analysis and interpretation

Student understands basic principles of measurements of different physical and chemical quantities important in karst studies. These includes calibration, programming and positioning of the instruments and data analyses and interpretation.

• Krawczyk, W.E., 1998: Manual for karst water analysis.- International Journal of Speleology, Handbook 1 – Physical Speleology, 51 pp. E-version
• Morris, A.S., 2001: Measurement and Instrumentation Principles.-Butterworth-Heinemann, 475 pp, Oxford. Catalogue
• Shaw, E.M., 1994: Hydrology in Practice.- Chapman & Hall, 569 pp, London. Catalogue
• Taylor, J.R., 1996: An Introduction to Error Analysis: The Study of Uncertainties in Physical Measurements.- University Science Books, Sausalito, 327 pp. Catalogue E-version
• Lecture notes and materials provided by the lecturer.

Oral examination, where student demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the topics given at lectures (70%). Condition to enter examination is a written report on a particular topic based on a literature search, individual or group work (30 %).

Adjunct Professor of Karstology

Bibliography:

https://bib.cobiss.net/bibliographies/si/webBiblio/bib201_20211120_230136_a4376163.html

PIVETTA, Tommaso, BRAITENBERG, Carla, GABROVŠEK, Franci, GABRIEL, Gerald, MEURERS, Bruno. Gravimetry and hydrologic data to constrain the hydrodynamics of a karstic area: the Škocjan Caves study case. Journal of Hydrology. [Print ed.]. Feb. 2024, vol. 629, [article no.] 130453, str. 1-10, ilustr., graf. prikazi. ISSN 0022-1694. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022169423013951?via%3Dihub, DOI: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2023.130453. [COBISS.SI-ID 178751747]
GABROVŠEK, Franci, BLATNIK, Matej, RAVBAR, Nataša, ČARGA, Jana, STAUT, Miha, PETRIČ, Metka. Unraveling the functioning of the vadose zone in alpine karst aquifers: new insights from a tracer test in the Migovec cave system (Julian alps, NW Slovenia) = Razkrivanje delovanja vadozne cone alpskih kraških vodonosnikov: nova spoznanja iz sledilnega poskusa v jamskem sistemu Migovec (Julijske alpe, SZ Slovenija). Acta carsologica. [Tiskana izd.]. 2023, [vol.] 52, [no.] 2/3, str. 229-244, ilustr., zvd., graf. prikazi. ISSN 0583-6050. https://ojs.zrc-sazu.si/carsologica/article/view/13348/11895, DOI: 10.3986/ac.v52i2-3.13348. [COBISS.SI-ID 178872835]
MAYAUD, Cyril, GABROVŠEK, Franci, BLATNIK, Matej, KOGOVŠEK, Blaž, PETRIČ, Metka, RAVBAR, Nataša. Understanding flooding in poljes : a modelling perspective. Journal of Hydrology. [Print ed.]. Aug. 2019, vol. 575, str. 874-889, ilustr. ISSN 0022-1694. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2019.04.092. [COBISS.SI-ID 44973357]
GABROVŠEK, Franci, PERIC, Borut, KAUFMANN, Georg. Hydraulics of epiphreatic flow of a karst aquifer. Journal of Hydrology. [Print ed.]. May 2018, vol. 560, str. 56-74, ilustr. ISSN 0022-1694. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2018.03.019. [COBISS.SI-ID 42954797]
GABROVŠEK, Franci, GRAŠIČ, Boštjan, BOŽNAR, Marija, MLAKAR, Primož, UDÉN, Maria, DAVIES, E. Karst show caves - how DTN technology as used in space assists automatic environmental monitoring and tourist protection - experiment in Postojna Cave. Natural hazards and earth system sciences discussions. 2013, vol. 1, no. 5, str. 5323-5364. ISSN 2195-9269. http://www.nat-hazards-earth-syst-sci-discuss.net/1/5323/2013/nhessd-1-5323-2013.pdf, DOI: 10.5194/nhessd-1-5323-2013. [COBISS.SI-ID 27611687]