New karst hydrogeological research in the western Totes Gebirge (Austria) [Neue Ergebnisse zur Karsthydrogeologie des westlichen Toten Gebirges (?sterreich)]

摘要

In the western part of the Totes Gebirge (Hohe Schrott, Austria) hydrogeological investigations were carried out which show its karst drainage system for the first time. All the important karst springs originate in the Triassic limestones of the Dachstein formation located on the southern slope of the mountain. The springs are connected to active water-filled caves. The low mineral content of the water and the high Q_(max)/Q_(min)-rate of the springs confirm the isotope hydrological analyses which were carried out in the 1970's. It can be concluded that there is a low storage capacity of the aquifer and a large quantity of young freshwater. The dye tracer tests show that under low water conditions of the aquifer, the flow path follows NE-SW oriented fault zones (tectonic faults). These findings contradict the radial drainage pattern of the central Toten Gebirge which was derived from particle tracer experiments (Lycopodium spore drift) which were carried out in the 1960's.