Use of dissolved organic carbon to characterize infiltration in a small karst system in the French Jura mountains (Fertans)

Jean-Baptiste Charlier (1) , Jacques Mudry (1) , Catherine Bertrand (1)

1 LCE - Laboratoire Chrono-environnement (UMR 6249)

Due to the high input of organic soil substances in infiltrated water, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is an interesting tracer to determine water origin in hydrosystems. The aim of this study was to use continuous measurements of DOC natural fluorescence in spring water to characterize infiltration in a karst system at the event time scale. Hydrological data were recorded at the outlet of a small perennial spring within a cliff at Fertans in the French Jura mountains since July 2009. Our results showed that the response of the system was fast (response time of 3 hours) and was produced by two combined flow types. First, discharge and turbidity peaks, and electrical conductivity troughs were produced by a piston-type flow enabling an unclogging of the fractures. Second, this fast infiltration process was followed by a slower one enriched in DOC, produced by a more diffuse-type flow through the matrix compartment.

Domaines: Hydrologie; Milieux et Changements globaux

Jean-Baptiste Charlier, Jacques Mudry, Catherine Bertrand. Use of dissolved organic carbon to characterize infiltration in a small karst system in the French Jura mountains (Fertans). Andreo B., Carrasco, F., Duran Valsero J.J., and LaMoreaux, J.W. Advances in research in karst media, Springer, pp.151-156, 2010, Environmental Earth Sciences, ⟨10.1007/978-3-642-12485-0⟩. ⟨hal-00481240⟩