ABSTRACT
Al Jabal Al Akhdar is an upland area along the northeast coast of northern Libya. There are more than 200 Karst water springs in the area, with a discharge from 1 to 200 L per second, mostly in the geological structures, and the contacts between the Tertiary and Upper Cretaceous carbonate formations, which constitute the main aquifers. These springs were the source of water for ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, where they had established high-planning cities in terms of social, legal, and administrative institutions that competed with the oldest major cities in ancient history. The local communities are currently relying on springs for various domestic, agricultural, and cattle watering uses. This study provides an overview of the hydrogeological units and aquifers of the Al Jabal Al Akhdar region. Moreover, it considers the classification and spatial distribution of karst springs, focusing on seventeen springs by dealing with their discharge, quality, utilization, and impact on the local community’s livelihood.
