Karst Hydrogeology and Human Activities: Impacts, Consequences and Implications - IAH International Contributions to Hydrogeology 20

One quarter of the world's population lives in karst terrains, yet karsts are highly vulnerable to stresses caused by human activity. This book surveys human impact on karst water, showing that the increasing pollution of the environment has, to a great extent, spoiled sensitive karst ecosystems. This text examines such consequences and offers proposals for future solutions and strategies. Part One provides an overview of the functioning of karsts and of human interaction with karst environments over several millennia. Part Two consists of a systematic examination of the major areas of human activity affecting karst waters, such as agriculture, industry, mining and water exploitation. Finally, Part Three views the effects on karst groundwater within a broader societal and legislative perspective and considers possible changes of methodology and approach.

List of contents

1 Introduction
2 The Historical Perspective
3 Introduction and Overview of Human Impacts
Part 2. The Nature of Human Impacts on Karst Waters
4 Agriculturally Induced Impacts
5 Industrial and Urban Produced Impacts
6 Extractive Industries Impact
7 Karst Water Exploitation
Part 3. Implications and Conclusions
8 Karst Water Exploitation
9 Conservation of Karst Terrains and Karst Waters: The Future

About the author

David Drew

Summary

One quarter of the world's population lives in karst terrains, yet karsts are highly vulnerable to stresses caused by human activity. This book surveys human impact on karst water, showing that the increasing pollution of the environment has, to a great extent, spoiled sensitive karst ecosystems. This text examines such consequences and offers proposals for future solutions and strategies. Part One provides an overview of the functioning of karsts and of human interaction with karst environments over several millennia. Part Two consists of a systematic examination of the major areas of human activity affecting karst waters, such as agriculture, industry, mining and water exploitation. Finally, Part Three views the effects on karst groundwater within a broader societal and legislative perspective and considers possible changes of methodology and approach.

Product details

• Assisted by: David Drew (Editor), David ew (Editor), Heinz Hötzl (Editor)
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 01.01.1999
• EAN: 9789054104643
• ISBN: 978-90-5410-464-3
• No. of pages: 338
• Weight: 630 g
• Series: IAH - International Contributions to Hydrogeology
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Geosciences > Geology; Non-fiction book > Nature, technology > Natural science; Social sciences, law, business > Business > Individual industrial sectors, branches; Nature / Environmental Conservation & Protection, TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING / Environmental / Waste Management, SCIENCE / Earth Sciences / Geology, SCIENCE / Earth Sciences / Limnology, Pollution & threats to the environment, Geology, geomorphology and the lithosphere, Limnology (inland waters), Pollution and threats to the environment, Geology & The Lithosphere, Limnology (Freshwater), Sanitary and municipal engineering, Sanitary & municipal engineering