Dry Out of Karst Springs Caused by Intensive Groundwater Use – Results of an Initial Hydrogeological Investigation in Northern Cyprus

Abstract

Water is a scarce and expensive commodity especially in the summer months in the northern part of Cyprus. The Karst springs of the Western Kyrenia Mountains, which include the Beşparmak (Pentadaktilos) mountains, were used for centuries for sustainable irrigation of olive orchards and farming areas. In the area of Karşıyaka, Karst springs emerge at the western end of the cretaceous Kyrenia Mountains. The source above the abandoned and ruined monastery in Karşıyaka (manastır pınarı) was described early in the literature as „powerfull spring“ emerging between the massive Hilarion limestones and the chalky marl rocks of the Kythrea- and Lapta-formation. Now this spring, like many other Karst springs in Northern Cyprus, is greatly decreased in discharge and commonly dries out during the summer months. The decline in the source discharge is associated with the construction of new boreholes and wells nearby the spring heads and a groundwater abstraction, which is not adapted to the local groundwater recharge. The intensive use of spatially limited aquifers is the major risk factor for groundwater drawdown on the entire island of Cyprus. The change of gravitational source water use to pumped wells reduced the water storage in the Karst aquifers. Historical data of water table evolution and pumped water quantities in the boreholes nearby the Karst springs prove that the decline of spring discharge is caused by overpumping. The natural groundwater level dropped within 10 years steadily. The spring discharge declined and could be reactivated only in exceptionally rainy years, provided that the surface of the ground water in the aquifer can again reach the outlet of the spring. As an impressive example, in Karşıyaka the irreversible decline of historical spring water supply of the Sinai Monastery in succession of overuse of freshwater aquifers by pumped water wells could be observed.