Monitoring activity at the middle bussento karst system (Cilento geopark, southern italy)

Abstract

This paper deals with the results of the monitoring activities carried out in the Middle Bussento Karst System (MBSKS) during fall 2012. The MBSKS is located in the Cilento, Vallo Diano and Alburni National Park-European Geopark in the south of Italy. Results discussed in this paper are part of a larger monitoring program which has started in 2010 in an attempt to apply the European Water Directive to the protected areas. Since fall 2012, the program has been focused on the monitoring of the MBSKS. This phase has been aimed to improve knowledge of the hydro-dynamic behavior of the mature MBSKS, differentiating outputs coming from anthropogenic, autogenic and allogenic sources. During this phase two stations, located at one of the stream sink input and at the output of the system, have been used. Results obtained have confirmed some known mature karst systems behavior as such as: flushing effect, piston flow and very fast input-output response. Additional analysis has provided enough information to outline a hydraulic model of the system. Furthermore lessons learnt during this period have led to the implementation of an upgraded monitoring system that is now under completion.