THE ARMA MODELS APPLIED TO THE FLOW OF KARSTIC SPRINGS

Autoregressive moving average (ARMA) models have been applied to study the flow series of the karstic springs of La Villa, Fuente Mayor (Spa in), and Aliou (France). The theoretical meaning of the parameters inv olved in the model upon applying it to a simplified scheme of the empt ying of a karstic aquifer is first analyzed. The types of transformati ons necessary to apply these models to the flow series that lack norma lity and have strong periodic components are also indicated, as are th e advantages of this type of model and the physical significance of th e parameters obtained, with respect to the standpoint of hydraulics, r anging from rather homogeneous aquifers (La Villa) to extremely karsti c (Aliou), including aquifers with intermediate characteristics (Fuent e Mayor).