A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Understand Hydrologic and Geochemical Processes at Koiliaris Critical Zone Observatory

Abstract

Koiliaris CZO is a European Critical Zone Observatory (CZO) typical of the Mediterranean karstic geomorphology, which represents watersheds affected by humans over the centuries. This study aims to provide information that underpins the hydrologic and geochemical processes functioning at Koiliaris CZO. Linking geomorphologic and tectonic analysis improved the delineation of a karstic area which extends outside of the Koiliaris watershed and identified how structural elements influence the regional hydrology. The fluctuation in the river flow represents processes occurring in the karst and the periodic signal is related to Earth tide stressing of the karstic reservoirs. The conceptualization of a two-reservoir, well-mixed karstic system is confirmed by both the geomorphologic and tidal analysis. The hydrologic response is fast and it is manifested especially during extreme events where 70% of the precipitation becomes surface runoff, creating major flood events. The different sampling sites in the Koiliaris CZO were geochemically clustered and the quantification of the weathering fluxes showed that 25 mm/1000 years and 39 mm/1000 years of carbonate were removed by chemical weathering for the Keramianos ephemeral river and the springs, respectively. These studies illustrate the importance of critical zone science and transdisciplinary studies on water and soil management.