Author(s): J. P. Ivaldi; J. Ganoulis
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: Geomatics; GIS; Satellite image; Digital terrain model; Karst; Aquifer; Brittle strainkarst groundwater detection; Crete; Greece
Abstract: The Almyros karst spring in Heraklion, Crete, represents an essential water resource in the Eastern Crete Development Organisation's (OANAK) plans for the development of the eastern part of the island. However, due to extensive sea intrusion into the karst aquifer through significant tectonic fractures, it is very difficult to use this water directly. The salinisation of continental fresh water has increased over the past few years due to the over-pumping of groundwater in some wells. The application of multiscalar, geomatic, structural and micro-structural methods of analysis to the karst aquifers of Almyros has enabled the tectonic fractures that infiltrate, retain and circulate the precipitation water collected over the whole catchment basin of the spring to be identified and classified into different groups. By combining in-situ measurements, satellite observations and a Digital Terrain Model (DTM) into one Geographical Information System (GIS), the tectonic and hydro-geological organisational scheme of the Almyros karst network was derived. The results show that groundwater tends to circulate along the directions N10-20°E and N90-100°E. The tectonic cross fractures defined by these two main directions, upstream to the marine intrusion hydrogeological zones, are the most promising sites for drilling freshwater production wells.
Year: 2003