Luka Serianz (Author), Anže Markelj (Author), Nina Rman (Author), Mihael Brenčič (Author), Judit Mádl-Szőnyi (Author)

Abstract

Groundwater flow and heat distribution was investigated in the regional karstic-fissured aquifer-aquitard system near Lake Bled in the Slovenian, eastern Julian Alps. The area features thermal springs with temperatures of 19–23 °C which are exploited by abstraction wells. The occurrence of low-temperature geothermal systems, which are common in the Alps, are associated with specific hydrogeological conditions, such as vertical hydraulic connectivity between different geological formations, relatively large elevation differences along flow paths, and the concentrated upwelling of geothermal water to the surface. The occurrence of the low-temperature geothermal field is explained by the presence of a hydraulically conductive fault along with a regional groundwater flow pattern that supports deep groundwater circulation. Hydraulic measurements and temperature data were collected from springs and wells in the area to support the analysis of flow patterns, together with the construction of a basin-scale 2D numerical flow and heat transport simulation. The diverse topographic and geological conditions result in a multi-scale groundwater flow system. The discharge of thermal waters in the Lake Bled area is a consequence of the upwelling of deep groundwater induced by a combination of the ~ 650 m difference in hydraulic head and hydrogeological heterogeneity and anisotropy, related to faulting of the geological formations. In addition, individual flow subsystems were found to significantly affect the natural heat distribution and travel times within the basin-scale system. The study highlights the combination of a basin scale approach taking into consideration local to regional-scale heterogeneities and faults in order to better understand the hydrogeological behaviour of Alpine groundwater systems.

Keywords

podzemna voda;termalna voda;vodonosnik;tok podzemne vode;karbonatne kamnine;napajanje;

Data

Language: English
Year of publishing:
Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization: GeoZS - Geological Survey of Slovenia
Publisher: Springer Nature
UDC: 556.3
COBISS: 226023171 Link will open in a new window
ISSN: 1431-2174
Views: 174
Downloads: 43
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Other data

Secondary keywords: podzemna voda;termalna voda;vodonosnik;tok podzemne vode;karbonatne kamnine;napajanje;
Type (COBISS): Article
Pages: str. 237-256
Volume: ǂvol. ǂ33
Issue: ǂno. ǂ1
Chronology: 2025
DOI: 10.1007/s10040-024-02866-z
ID: 26155486