Influence of geological events on surficial and underground waters during the Pleistocene

Abstract

Alternation of the cool and warm periods during the Pleistocene strongly affected the underground waters in the karstic and gravel aquifers of Slovenia. Great lowering of the Adriatic sea level during cool periods caused gradual deepening of the groundwater flows of the Slovenian littoral karst region deep below the present sea level. In the Sava river walley the groundwater level in gravel deposits has risen because of strong river unloading. Simultaneously the gravel beds modestly cemented during the warm periods were partly washed out. During the warm periods the river erosion lowered the groundwater level whereas the process of the gravel cementation continued. In the Sava river walley there are numerous well cemented gravel beds intercalated with very porous and poorly cemented layers indicating a number of strong climatic changes in the course of the Pleistocene period.