Tectonic structure and water constraint advances in karstic aquifers of the Barrois area (Lorraine/Champagne France).

Between Lorraine and Champagne, in the east of the Paris Basin, covered kar st is developed in Portlandien limestone of Barrois in contact with sand an d clay of the Perthois Cretaceous. The cuesta landscape is altered by foldi ng tectonics (syncline of Treveray) and faulting tectonics (Fault trough of the Marne). These govern the organization of underground flow. In low wate r period, hydrological methods (smoothed hydrological profiles, water traci ng) display disturbances of the Barrois river (Saulx, Marne) and limits of underground watershed ("Rupt-du-Puits" cave system, 21 km long, 13 km(2)). Macro-tectonics influence vertical infiltration (pit). Fault and dip (Macro -tectonics) divide the aquifer into different sections. Hydrological method s with flow studies confirm structural tilting of the area to the west. (C) Elsevier, Paris.