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HYDROGEOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF GROUNDWATER PROTECTION IN KARSTIC AREAS

Objective

Environmental protection, particularly the maintenance of a good-quality water supply, has become a major concern in Europe. Karstic aquifers play a crucial role in many countries for their high yield, but they are also, in most cases, highly vulnerable to pollution from the surface. A thorough knowledge of the hydrogeological conditions of karstic catchment areas and aquifers is a basic prerequisite for a safe water supply. There is general agreement throughout Europe that an international exchange of experiences in exploration methods, results and precautionary measures in specific case-studies (within so-called pilot areas) may considerably improve and even standardise multidisciplinary approaches to solving this problem.
The general objectives of the Project are:
the delineation of protection zones in karstic areas;
the definition of karstic drainage areas and their water dynamics;
the evaluation of karstic groundwater resources and related water budgets including the existence and role of (natural) underground retention spaces;
the optimal use of groundwater in karstic areas;
the exchange of experience by presenting the features, problems, research work and results in each participating country at so-called regional meetings held in participating countries and a closing scientific meeting/workshop;
the publication of the results.

The Action formed 4 Working Groups that worked in the following fields:
Working Group 1 : Character of groundwater systems (Dr. M. BAKALOWICZ)
Working Group 2 : Research methods (Dr. F. ZWAHLEN)
Working Group 3 : Pollutants and pollutant transport in karst areas
(Dr. C. ALMEIDA)
Working Group 4 : Regulations (Dr. H. HÖTZL)

The COST Action 65 has been in its end-phase and decided to request a one year prolongation until 13. October 1995 in order to organise and prepare the final report. The final report will comprise:
Recommendations,
Working Group Reports (scientific content), and
National Reports.
Most of the basic work was finished at the end of 1994.

PECO contracts were signed with:
Institute of Nuclear Research of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Debrecen (H)
Institute of Karst Research Zrc Sazu, Postojna (SLO)
Geologicky Ustav Dionyza Stura, Bratislava (SK)
Work planned
The COST Action 65 was officially closed after the last Management Committee Meeting in Antalya (Turkey, Sept. 1995). Based on the results and experience from the work with this Action, two new Actions have been approved and will be started early 1997. The names of these new Actions are:
COST 620 Action --Vulnerability mapping for protection of carbonate (karst) aquifers.
COST 621 Action -- Groundwater management of coastal karstic aquifers.

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CEC
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Address
Rue de la Loi, 200
1049 Brussels
Belgium

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Participants (23)

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Last update: 17 January 2001

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Permalink: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/2191

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