Assessing karst landscape degradation based on the void development of karst aquifers in Gunungsewu, Indonesia

Abstract

Compared to other landforms, karst areas are among those emerging from the dissolution process that have a higher risk of land degradation. The likelihood of karst landforms being harmed is increased by urbanization and other human activities like extensive agriculture. Subsurface streams' water quality gets worse when surface pollutants infiltrate through developed karst features like sinkholes and karst ponors. There is a greater risk of land degradation as more karst features, in this case void size, develop. The purpose of this research is to assess how void development, or the degree of karstification, relates to the potential for karst spring pollution in the event that land degradation occurs on the surface of the Karst Drainage System (KDS). This research was conducted at the KDS of Beton and Gremeng Spring in the Gunungsewu karst area, Indonesia. In addition, this study also provides recommendations related to environmental management on the basis of the level of development of voids at both sites. The degree of karstification represents the phase at which a hydrogeological system has been developing, and this information was later considered in formulating strategies for protecting karst groundwater from contamination. The results show that Beton and Gremeng had a complex discharge regime with degrees of karstification at 8 and 5.5, respectively. Based on flood hydrograph components, it was further confirmed that both areas were in the mature phase. The higher the degree of karstification, the higher the vulnerability to pollution.