Recognition of karst hydrology and water resources interaction in Kazerun Karstic Zones, South of Iran

Using Stable Isotope Analysis (δD and δ18O) and Tracing Tests to Characterize the Regional Hydrogeological Characteristics of Kazeroon County, Iran

“…The results have shown negative water balance of 70 million m 3 in the Dashtak North aquifer, meaning that the main catchment of Sasan spring could be supplied from the three other aquifers (Northern Shahneshin (ShN), Northern Asmari Shahneshin (ShN(As), and Salbiz (S)) via the Qatar-Kazeroon fault). In this way, it has an active role in the supply of the Sasan spring water [28].…”

“…There are six zones in the surroundings of Kazeroon-Dashtak North aquifer (DN), Dashtak South aquifer (DS), North Shahneshin aquifer (ShN), North-Shahneshin aquifer in the Asmari formation (ShN-As), South Shahneshin aquifer (ShS), and Salbiz aquifer(S) [28].…”

“…Other karst features that have developed in this area include karst springs (Seyed Hossain and Sasan spring in the Dashtak karst area), and karst valleys like Tange Chogan. Important morphological phenomena in Kazeroon County are the caves such as Marmar, Shahpour, and Sasan caves [28]. The Shahpour cave with its length of 300 m and the width of 30 m is another important karst feature 15 km away from the Kazeroon.…”

“…The retention capacity of karst subaquifers is relatively good with a somewhat long residence period [39]. Aquifers formed in the Asmari Formation vary in hydraulic characteristics and behavior and have been an object of interest of many scientific studies [28,30,37]. Asmari and Sarvak are crucial karst formations and create the largest karst aquifers and reservoirs with numerous spring discharges.…”

“…The aim of the conducted research was to contribute to a better understanding of hydrological relations around thekarst aquifer vital to the water supply sustainability of Kazeroon. According to water balance calculation, the catchment basin of the investigated karst springs is not limited to Dashtak anticline only [28]. The goal of the tracer test was to determine whether the recharge area of the Sasan spring and the springs important for water supply of Kazeroon extends beyond the Dashtak North aquifer and to confirm thehydraulic connection between Dashtak North and Asmari Shahneshin aquifer.…”