Groundwaters of the "Valjevo karst" area (Western Serbia)

Abstract

?Valjevo karst? is an area of about 780 km2 in a broader sense, while the uncovered karstified limestone makes about 330 km2. It is a part of the Inner Dinarides (Western Serbia). In the litho-stratigraphic view, the karstified limestones of Middle?Upper Triassic dominate, in which karst aquifers are formed. Analysis and systematization of the available data of hydrogeological and other relevant research is carried out. A branched network of groundwater traces between swallow holes and discharge points is presented as well as main features of sixteen karst springs (or scattered discharge zones) and nine (group of) wells, divided into five sectors. Average karst aquifer discharge of the whole area is calculated on 5.18 m3/s. Total minimum flow rate of the analysed karst springs and discharge zones is estimated at 1.2 m3/s, while the total flow rate of the analysed wells is estimated at about 0.3 m3/s, which makes about 1.5 m3/s of total (minimum) discharge. All analysed waters are low-mineralized (<1 g/l), while temperatures range from 9?35 ??. Use of the waters is multipurpose: municipal and local water supply, commercial bottling, recreational pools etc.