HYDROGEOLOGICAL STUDY AND DISCHARGE FEATURES OF THE NIKSAR KARST SPRINGS (TOKAT-TURKEY)

The exposed Paleozoic and Recent units in the study area have various hydrogeological characteristics such as pervious, semipervious, and im pervious. Pervious limestones and associated impervious formations tha t were not influenced by tectonic movement are connected to produce ka rst springs. This paper presents the relationship between the discharg e coefficient and other aquifer properties by using the hydrograph ana lyses of the karst springs. The magnitude of the discharge of the spri ng apparently controls the character of flow (such as laminar) and con duit in the aquifer. The correlation analysis shows a positive relatio n between Q(0)-Q(t), Q(0)-storage capacity, Q(t)-storage capacity, and alpha-discharge change, These results enhances the properties of the karst springs. Both monthly and annual rainfall contribute to spring d ischarge. All karst springwaters are suitable for household and food i ndustry uses.