Tracing of karst waters

Tracing with natural and artificial tracers is a very useful research method for the study of directions and characteristics of groundwater flow in karst. Student understands its significance for karst hydrology. He becomes familiar with the possibilities of the use of natural and artificial tracers in simple and combined tracer tests in different aquifer types. He knows how to inject the tracer, how to sample and analyse the water samples. He is able to use different qualitative and quantitative methods of interpretation of the results. He learns about different case-studies with the application of tracer tests in Slovenia and abroad.

Student can accede to an examination after reaching 50% presence at the seminar and exercises, and preparing a short written work (5 to 10 pages) treating specific topic of karst hydrology or some publication in connection with her/his seminar or doctoral work.

• Development of the method of tracing in karst
• Applicability of the method in various aquifer types
• Types and characteristics of natural and artificial tracers
• Required previous researches and preparation of the tracing plan
• Tracer test
• Registration of data and presentation of obtained results
• Interpretation of obtained data
• Case-studies of tracer tests applied in hydrological practice

Knowledge and understanding:
• student understands theoretical basis of research methods and techniques
• student knows how to choose a suitable method for a planned study and following some additional instructions from the literature he is able to use it in practice
• student is capable of autonomous evaluation, interpretation and presentation of obtained results

• Käss, W., 1998: Tracing Technique in Geohydrology.- A.A. Balkema, 581 pp, Rotterdam.
• Goldscheider, N., Meiman, J., Pronk, M., Smart, C., 2008. Tracer tests in karst hydrogeology and speleology. International Journal of Speleology, 37 (1), 27-40. Bologna. http://dx.doi.org/10.5038/1827-806X.37.1.3 E-version
• Petrič, M., Ravbar, N., Gostinčar, P., Krsnik, P., Gacin, M., 2020: GIS database of groundwater flow characteristics in carbonate aquifers: tracer test inventory from Slovenian karst. Applied geography, vol. 118, 8 p, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeog.2020.102191 E-version
• Behrens et al., 2001: Toxicological and ecotoxicological assessment of water tracers. Hydrogeology Journal 9: 321–325. https://doi.org/10.1007/s100400100126 E-version

Oral exam 80%. A short written work is assessed 20%.

Adjunct Professor of Karstology

Bibliography:

https://bib.cobiss.net/bibliographies/si/webBiblio/bib201_20211120_230457_a3714659.html

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]
PETRIČ, Metka (avtor, fotograf), RAVBAR, Nataša, ZINI, Luca, CALLIGARIS, Chiara, CORAZZI, Riccardo, ŽITKO, Zdenka, RESTAINO, Marco, KNEZ, Martin. Determining the directions and characteristics of underground water flow in karst for the purpose of traffic routes construction : the case of the new Divača-Koper railway line (SW Slovenia) = Določitev smeri in značilnosti toka podzemne vode v krasu za namen izgradnje prometnih poti : primer nove železniške proge Divača-Koper (JZ Slovenija). Acta carsologica. [Tiskana izd.]. 2020, letn. 49, št. 1, str. 63-80, ilustr. ISSN 0583-6050. https://ojs.zrc-sazu.si/carsologica/article/view/8582/8096, http://www.dlib.si/details/URN:NBN:SI:doc-567TACBT, DOI: 10.3986/ac.v49i1.8582. [COBISS.SI-ID 35064579]
PETRIČ, Metka, RAVBAR, Nataša, GOSTINČAR, Petra, KRSNIK, Petra, GACIN, Marina. GIS database of groundwater flow characteristics in carbonate aquifers : tracer test inventory from Slovenian karst. Applied geography. [Print ed.]. May 2020, vol. 118, 8 str., ilustr. ISSN 0143-6228. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0143622820301582?via%3Dihub, DOI: 10.1016/j.apgeog.2020.102191. [COBISS.SI-ID 46123309]
PETRIČ, Metka, RAVBAR, Nataša, GOSTINČAR, Petra, KRSNIK, Petra, GACIN, Marina. Vzpostavitev prosto dostopne GIS zbirke rezultatov sledenj toka podzemne vode in možnosti njene uporabe = Establishment of a freely accessible GIS database containing the results of groundwater tracing and possibilities of its use. Geologija. [Tiskana izd.]. 2020, vol. 63, no. 2, str. 203-220, ilustr. ISSN 0016-7789. http://www.geologija-revija.si/dokument.aspx?id=1401, http://www.dlib.si/details/URN:NBN:SI:doc-DXO1OPKJ, DOI: 10.5474/geologija.2020.017. [COBISS.SI-ID 41383427]
PETRIČ, Metka. The use of artificial tracer tests in the process of management of karst water resources in Slovenia. V: YOUNOS, Tamim (ur.), et al. Karst water environment : advances in research, management and policy. Cham: Springer, cop. 2019. Str. 133-156, ilustr. The handbook of environmental chemistry, vol. 68. ISBN 978-3-319-77367-4. ISSN 1867-979X. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-77368-1_5. [COBISS.SI-ID 43397677]