Scholarlink

<p>As its name suggests, epikarst represents the uppermost part of the karstified rock mass, including its surface and immediate subsurface zone. This term emerged from the need to define a well-known uppermost part of the general geological profile of karst that exhibits specific geological, geomorphological, hydrogeological, hydrological, faunal, and chemical characteristics i.e. the zone of close interrelation processes between lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and atmosphere. These specificities are characterized by: lithologic properties rocks (carbonates and evaporites); dense network of fractures; intensity of karstification and products of weathering. Epikarst surface is often covered with loosely bound sediments ranging from 0.5 to 2&#xa0;m in thickness though, in some areas, it can exceed several tens of meters. The depth of epikarst typically varies between two and approximately 30&#xa0;m. At majority of cases hydrogeological role ofepikarst is to <i>slow down percolation</i> of meteoric water or, in specific hydrogeological conditions, within<i>epikarst zone</i>some water storage can create perched aquifer known as <i>epikarst aquifer</i>, or to be only <i>transition zone</i> for surface water.As consequence of a great individuality of each karst unite the epikarst zones are complex entity and may produce enormous number varieties of geomorphological, hydrogeological, hydrological, geotechnical, and different ecological conditions.Throughout multiple geological epochs and orogenic phases, conditions were established for the formation of multiple levels of paleokarst, and consequently, multiple levels of paleo-epikarst. The epikarst environment (particularly endemic species) is extremely sensitive to all disturbances caused by anthropogenic processes and also is hazardous for construction large structures.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

The complexity of epikarst: definitions and observations

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年9月9日

查看全文
  • Petar T. Milanović

摘要

As its name suggests, epikarst represents the uppermost part of the karstified rock mass, including its surface and immediate subsurface zone. This term emerged from the need to define a well-known uppermost part of the general geological profile of karst that exhibits specific geological, geomorphological, hydrogeological, hydrological, faunal, and chemical characteristics i.e. the zone of close interrelation processes between lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and atmosphere. These specificities are characterized by: lithologic properties rocks (carbonates and evaporites); dense network of fractures; intensity of karstification and products of weathering. Epikarst surface is often covered with loosely bound sediments ranging from 0.5 to 2 m in thickness though, in some areas, it can exceed several tens of meters. The depth of epikarst typically varies between two and approximately 30 m. At majority of cases hydrogeological role ofepikarst is to slow down percolation of meteoric water or, in specific hydrogeological conditions, withinepikarst zonesome water storage can create perched aquifer known as epikarst aquifer, or to be only transition zone for surface water.As consequence of a great individuality of each karst unite the epikarst zones are complex entity and may produce enormous number varieties of geomorphological, hydrogeological, hydrological, geotechnical, and different ecological conditions.Throughout multiple geological epochs and orogenic phases, conditions were established for the formation of multiple levels of paleokarst, and consequently, multiple levels of paleo-epikarst. The epikarst environment (particularly endemic species) is extremely sensitive to all disturbances caused by anthropogenic processes and also is hazardous for construction large structures.