Master Recession Curve (MRC) analysis to characterize karst aquifers of several springs in the north side of the Karangbolong (Gombong) karst area

Abstract

Karst aquifers have triple porosity (diffuse, fissure, and conduit) which makes their characterization difficult, and often requires a combination of particular methods and investigation over a long period. The purpose of this study is to analyse the components of the flood hydrograph and create a master recession curve (MRC) in karst aquifers that recharge several springs on the north side of the Karangbolong Karst Area (Gombong). The springs studied include Kalisirah, Jumbleng, and Kalikarak springs. The data used are time-series discharges recorded every 15 minutes from November 2018 to March 2020. Furthermore, the reconstruction of the flow regime for MRC is carried out with the help of RC 4.0 software, which is at the same time able to define the level of karst aquifer development. The results showed that Kalisirah and Kalikarak Springs have a complex discharge regime with a degree of karstification in class 8, while Jumbleng Springs in class 5. Analysis of the components of the flood hydrograph reinforces the results of the calculation of the karstification degree. The time to the peak (Tlag) of the Kalisirah and Kalikarak Springs is relatively fast (1.94 and 1.44 hours), which indicates that conduit flow has developed, while Jumbleng spring has a longer Tlag of 2.69 hours. Calculation of time to base flow (Tb) both manually (by flood events analysis) and automatically (by MRC) shows that Kalikarak Springs has the longest time with an average of about 31 hours which reflects that karst aquifers which contribute to it are still quite good in storing groundwater, while Jumbleng spring has the fastest Tb value with an average of 17.25 hours which reflects the shortest release of water storage compared to the other two springs.