Abstract
Karstic landscapes, shaped by water dissolving rock, are unique ecosystems with complex water systems. Karst aquifers, vital for over 25% of the world's drinking water, offer a sustainable resource but are vulnerable to human activities. Their diverse plant, animal, and geological features contribute significantly to our planet's ecosystem. Notably, 49% of European geoparks contain karst, highlighting their importance in geoheritage and geotourism. Studying karst requires precise mapping of springs, ponors, channels, and caves to understand their unique hydrogeological processes. Here, we present a rare integrated study of Cokragan Cave (Spring) using both speleology and hydrogeology. This complex 2,050-meter cave system reveals multiple past groundwater levels through its geometry, with elevation differences suggesting tectonic influence. From 2003 to 2007, Cokragan Spring discharged and recharged 63.5 and 62.37 million cubic meters annually, respectively. Measured discharge ranged from a maximum of 1.488 cubic meters per second to a minimum of 0.108 cubic meters per second. In situ measurements and analysis of 13 samples revealed the groundwater's physicochemical characteristics, including major ions like calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate, and trace elements like iron, manganese, and zinc.