Karst Hydrogeology and Human Activities ― Impacts, Consequences and Implications

One quarter of the world's population lives in karst terrains, yet karsts are highly vulnerable to stresses caused by human activity. This book surveys human impact on karst water, showing that the increasing pollution of the environment has, to a great extent, spoiled sensitive karst ecosystems. This text examines such consequences and offers proposals for future solutions and strategies. Part One provides an overview of the functioning of karsts and of human interaction with karst environments over several millennia. Part Two consists of a systematic examination of the major areas of human activity affecting karst waters, such as agriculture, industry, mining and water exploitation. Finally, Part Three views the effects on karst groundwater within a broader societal and legislative perspective and considers possible changes of methodology and approach.

Dr David Drew is a senior lecturer at the Department of Geography, Trinity College, Dublin. His research interests include: geomorphology and hydrology of limestone terrains; general groundwater and surface water hydrology; environmental archaeology and soils in karstic areas; special interest in the Burren and the lowland karsts of western Ireland and in karst areas of the Mediterranean and Tropics.

Dr Heinz Hotzl is lecturer in Hydrogeology at the University of Karlsruhe in Germany. His research interests include: hydrogeology, especially of Karst and fractured rock aquifers, tracer hydrology, groundwater management and groundwater protection, contaminant transport in the groundwater and groundwater remediation.