Assessing Climate Change and Land-Use Impacts on Drinking Water Resources in Karstic Catchments (Southern Croatia)

Matko Patekar, Ivona Baniček, Josip Rubinić, Jasmina Lukač Reberski, Ivana Boljat, Ana Selak, Marina Filipović and Josip Terzić
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Matko Patekar: Department of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology, Croatian Geological Survey, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Ivona Baniček: Department of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology, Croatian Geological Survey, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Josip Rubinić: Department of Hydrotechnics and Geotechnics, Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
Jasmina Lukač Reberski: Department of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology, Croatian Geological Survey, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Ivana Boljat: Department of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology, Croatian Geological Survey, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Ana Selak: Department of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology, Croatian Geological Survey, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Marina Filipović: Department of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology, Croatian Geological Survey, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Josip Terzić: Department of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology, Croatian Geological Survey, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 9, 1-20

Abstract: The Mediterranean freshwater resources, mostly represented by groundwater, are under increasing pressure due to natural and anthropogenic factors. In this study, we investigated possible negative effects of climate change and land-use practices on water quality and availability from five springs in the karstic catchments in southern Croatia. The investigated springs are used in the regional public water supply system. Firstly, we employed hydrogeochemical field and laboratory analyses to detect possible traces of anthropogenic activity originating from specific land use. Additionally, we performed hydrological and climate modeling to detect changes in the air temperature, precipitation, and runoff. In particular, we used three regional climate models (Aladin, RegCM3, and Promes). The results estimated an increase in the mean annual air temperature, changes in the precipitation patterns, and reductions in runoff in the study area. Hydrochemical analyses showed standard ion concentrations for karst groundwaters, elevated sulfates due to evaporite deposits in the hinterland, surprisingly low nitrate levels which disproved expected agricultural pollution, and high microbiological activity. Significant water losses are expected in the near future which require immediate attention in order to develop adaptation strategies that focus on sustainable utilization and resilience of freshwater resources. This paper was based on the Interreg Central Europe PROLINE-CE project research in the South Dalmatia.

Keywords: hydrogeology; karst; land use; climate change; hydrogeochemistry; hydrological modeling; Dalmatia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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