Characterization of the regional groundwater flow systems in south Transdanubia (Hungary) to understand karst evolution and development of hydrocarbon and geothermal resources

Abstract

In South Transdanubia (Hungary), the remarkable geothermal and hydrocarbon resources in the Drava Basin and the hypogene caves at the margin of outcropping carbonate hills were usually investigated separately and their interactions were hitherto neglected. The aim of this study is to give all these groundwater-related resources and phenomena a common framework applying the concept of regional hydraulic continuity, and to complete the regional (i.e., basin-scale) hydraulic assessment of the area based on preproduction archival measured data. Pressure-elevation profiles, tomographic fluid-potential maps and hydraulic cross-sections were constructed to determine the vertical and horizontal fluid-flow conditions. As a result, two kinds of fluid flow systems could be identified. Within the gravitational flow systems, horizontal flow conditions are dominant and the regional flow direction tends toward the S-SE. In deeper basin regions, an overpressured flow system is prevalent, where fluids are driven laterally from the deeper sub-basins towards their margins. Based on the regional-scale evaluation of fluid flow systems, conclusions could be drawn regarding the geothermal and hydrocarbon potential of the area. Additionally, local-scale phenomena could be explained, particularly in the southern foreland of the Villány Hills. Cave formation cannot be related to the present-day flow systems here. In the Harkány area, groundwater chemistry could be explained by fluid contribution from the Drava Basin. A comparison with the marginal Buda Thermal Karst area allows for generalized conclusions regarding the connections between marginal karst reservoirs and the Pannonian Basin.

Global and local drivers of Echinococcus multilocularis infection in the western Balkan region

“…A very similar phenomenon can be observed in the valleys of the Somogy Hills 27 , 28 and in the Drava Basin 29 . The stronger appreciation of wetlands in Outer Somogy might be due to the extremely hot and dry climate of this microregion.…”

Multimethodological Revisit of the Surface Water and Groundwater Interaction in the Balaton Highland Region—Implications for the Overlooked Groundwater Component of Lake Balaton, Hungary

“…Traditionally, only one hydraulic head map, also called a potential or potentiometric map, is constructed for a single horizontal confined aquifer. Nevertheless, in practice, several potential maps should be created for various elevation or depth intervals in sedimentary basins to avoid misleading visualisations and interpretations of fluid potential [59,[61][62][63]. However, in hilly or mountainous regions, such as the Balaton Highland, wells are quite rare because of accessibility, construction and production barriers.…”

Basin-Scale Hydraulic Evaluation of Groundwater Flow Controlled Biogenic Gas Migration and Accumulation in the Central Pannonian Basin

“…However, its starting point along the elevation (z) axis is questionable. Nevertheless, it generally starts from the average water table or topographical elevation of the given p(z) profile's bounding area (e.g., [21,28,62,63]), which can cause misinterpretations due to the deviation from the original p(z) profile interpretation of data along a vertical line by its extension to an area (i.e., to a 3D block). However, in fact, based on the considerations and methodology of Section 3.3.1, it is basically unnecessary to graphically represent the hydrostatic vertical pressure gradient line starting from any point.…”