Coastal Karst Aquifers in Mediterranean Regions. 2. A Methodology for Exploring, Exploiting and monitoring Submarine Springs

In coastal regions, the study of karst aquifers and the ground water resource exploitation require a specific methodology and exploration and monitoring techniques. Two directions are investigated, leading to new technological and methodological developments. The first investigation axis deals with the exploration of fresh water plumes from submarine karst springs. An Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) is being developed and tested in order to collect all data (salinity, temperature and depth) along its trajectory. The submarine discharge may be estimated by modelling. The second axis deals with the water works for collecting the submarine fresh water discharge. The capture system is designed for monitoring the spring discharge, salinity, temperature, radon concentration and turbidity. The data time series will be analysed in order to determine the aquifer functioning. Discharge data will be used for simulating the spring flow in function of rain series. The prototypes are presently being developed and tested.