Assessment of aquifer resources from hydrokarstic structures by multitracing experiments using artificial tracers

Tracer experiments supply thorough knowledge of the karst, facilitate confirmation or rejection of hydraulic connections between sinkholes and water emergences, and provide for the discovery of new connections. They are an ideal means of studying the vulnerability of the karst to pollutants. Tracer labelling also permits verification of the flow patterns of hydrokarstic structures and the performance of methodological and comparative studies concerning the behaviour of the karst between low flow and flood; important quantities of the tracer may remain in its auxiliary systems for a long period of time. Consequently, investigation of hydrokarstic structures should be performed through simultaneous or repeated labelling using different 'conservative' tracers. Multitracing experiments are employed to shorten the duration of research work by avoiding repeated trials and the necessity of performing investigations under analogue hydraulic conditions. 4 refs, 1 fig., 1 tab