Application of Geophysical Investigations for Detecting the Groundwater Springing in the Sirač Limestone Quarry, Mining Field Čelina
Authors
Jasmin Jug, Kristijan Grabar, Stjepan Strelec, Dragana Dogančić
DOI
Abstract
Rock materials, as a natural resource, are the most important mineral raw material used in construction. Limestone rocks are exploited in the Sirač quarry Čelina, which is then processed into two types of products: crushed stone and stone aggregates. In 2021, during the excavation process, a new feature of water accumulation appeared on the quarry plateau (208 m.a.s.l.) and water pools were formed, which tended to flow towards the northern part of the excavation plateau. In the same year, an exploratory well with a depth of 50 meters was drilled near the place where the water appeared. Artesian water came to the surface from the mentioned well, which confirmed the presence of groundwater. Given that the inflow of water did not decrease over time, research had to be carried out with the aim of solving the problem so that the quarry could be properly managed as a natural resource of building stone. In addition to geological prospecting, three different methods of geophysical investigation were applied at the end of 2023 to detect the source and extent of groundwater springing: electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) and ground penetrating radar (GPR). A fault zone was detected by interpreting the research results, which probably represents a groundwater aquifer. It was determined that the layer cracks of the Triassic carbonate rocks in the deposit have low water permeability therefore the fault zone allows drainage of seepage and groundwater. In addition, impermeable grey-green Triassic clasts were registered in the sublayer, which probably represents a barrier to the percolation and movement of groundwater.