Multiannual variability of spring discharge in Southern Poland

Abstract

Discharge is one of the most important quantitative characteristics of springs. It not only specifies the yield of groundwater but also reflects the water retention conditions of the aquifer. An analysis of a long-term spring discharges enables linking them to hydrogeological and meteorological conditions of their catchment area as well as calculation of seasonal and multiannual variability parameters. The paper includes data on 84 springs in southern Poland collected in PIG-PIB databases. The time series are of different duration and were carried out in the period 1973-2016. The spring discharge variability index varied widely: from two to over two thousand, wherein the percentage of slightly variable, variable, and highly variable springs ranged around 33%. The discharge of individual springs showed significant seasonal variations. The volume of outflowing water depended on current atmospheric conditions but it was primarily controlled by the hydrogeological type of springs and their location. Discharge of fissures springs as well as of low-flow outflows was generally more variable than that of porous or larger springs. Seasonality of discharge depended rather on the elevation of the spring than on its discharge-springs at higher altitudes had higher seasonality indices of discharge and a later date of its annual maximum discharge.

Spring recharge and groundwater flow patterns in flysch aquifer in the Połonina Wetlińska Massif in the Carpathian Mountains

“…In addition, these rocks occur in the conditions of very strong tectonic overprint. It has always been emphasized that despite the presence of numerous springs in the Flysch Carpathians, most of them are characterized by low discharge (Chełmicki et al 2011;Bartnik and Moniewski 2019) and recharged from thin, superficial permeable zone. Thus, deeper groundwater recharge has been marginalized; it has been believed not to play a significant role.…”