ABSTRACT
Karstic aquifers are those that contain dissolution-generated conduits that transport groundwater, often localized, fast-moving and in a turbulent regime. The ability of the conduit system to transport a sediment load, sometimes with associated contaminants, is an additional feature. Such aquifers are found mainly in limestone, dolomite and gypsum as the commonly occurring soluble rocks. In most aquifers there is a mismatch of many orders of magnitude between groundwater flow rates in the aquifer and stream flow rates on the land surface above. In karstic aquifers there is a continuum of flow rates such that the groundwater system in karstic aquifers takes on the characteristics of both surface water and groundwater. Further, because of the presence of sinking streams and large springs, there is a complex interplay between surface water and groundwater.
