Hydrodynamic functioning of rhythmic springs: a case of M’Chaki spring (Jijel – NE Algeria)

The discharge from most karst springs exhibits a consistent and reasonably predictable response to recharge but a few exhibit short-term (‘rhythmic’) changes in flow that are commonly attributed to the geometry of feeder conduits and the action of siphons. This paper investigates water flow in a karst system that exhibits rhythmic and episodic changes in discharge due to variations in flow from two phreatic conduits (Main Rising (MR) and Whirlpool Rising (WR)) that pass through Speedwell Cavern en route to the springs. Water tracing experiments indicate that the conduits receive both allogenic and autogenic recharge. Flow dynamics and conduit behaviour were investigated using high-resolution (2-min) water depth data collected from MR and WR between 2012 and 2015 (when MR was dominant) and between 2021 and 2023 (when WR was dominant). Water depths were also logged in a cave at the upstream end of a conduit draining to both MR and WR and at springs. The short-term temporal variability in water depths at both MR and WR is greater than any documented in previous studies. This is attributed to conduit bedrock geometry and changes in conduit permeability due to sediment accumulation in phreatic loops, which together influence the response to recharge.

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Hydrodynamic functioning of rhythmic springs: a case of M’Chaki spring (Jijel – NE Algeria)

Cited by 3 publications

References 13 publications

Water source identification and circulation characteristics of intermittent karst spring based on hydrochemistry and stable isotope—An example from Southern China

Water source identification and circulation characteristics of intermittent karst spring based on hydrochemistry and stable isotope—An example from Southern China

A theoretical model for simulating periodic processes of intermittent karst springs considering changed recharge rates into siphon cavity

Characterising Rhythmic and Episodic Pulsing Behaviour in the Castleton Karst, Derbyshire (UK), Using High Resolution in-Cave Monitoring

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