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Contents

INTRODUCTION

1. PALAEOKARST SYSTEMS AND GEOLOGICAL MODELS
1.1. Introduction
1.2. What we know about the palaeokarst today
1.3. Geological models of palaeokarsts
1.4. Conclusions
1.5. Exploration strategies and methods of study

2. WORLDWIDE EXAMPLES
2.1. Bahamas
2.2. Gulf of Mexico (West Florida, Campeche Bank - Mexico)
2.3. Cuba
2.4. England
2.5. Spain
2.5.1. Catalan Range
2.5.2. Mediterranean coast, Cap Salou
2.5.3. Mediterranean coast, Cap Blanc
2.6. Greece
2.6.1. Peninsula Peloponnessos, Korfos

3. PALAEOKARST AND CARBONATE PLATFORMS
3.1. Fundamentals
3.2. The model
3.3. Conclusions

4. PALAEOKARST SYSTEMS IN HUNGARY
4.1. Overview
4.2. Selected genetic case studies
4.2.1. Szabadbattyán (Kőszár-hegy)
4.2.2. Orfű (Sárkány-kút)
4.2.3. Balaton Highland (Litér, Hajmáskér)
4.2.4. Vác (Naszály Hill)
4.2.5. Pisznice cave
4.2.6. Csővár (quarry and Várhegy cave)
4.2.7. Buda Hills (Rózsadomb)
4.2.8. Buda Hills (Páty)
4.2.9. Buda Hills (Várhegy)
4.2.10. Bükk Mountains

5. THE 3D MODEL OF THE COMPOSITE KARST SYSTEM, BUDA HILLS
5.1. Aims and methodology
5.2. The 3D model and its importance

6. THE PALAEOKARST POTENTIAL OF HUNGARY
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
REFERENCES
PHOTOS
APPENDIX

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Introductuin

One of today's largest provocation for society is its supply of healthy potable water. Just this phrase itself, used frequently in politics, reflects very well the day by day and more and more limited provision of this primordial human right. It seems to be non-causal, that the possession of potable water has become one of the strategic tasks in many places of the world. Potable water supply is nowadays in the focus of many national and international conflicts and it could become even more so in the future.

Hungary, because of its geological setting and favourable geographic and climatic conditions is in possession of the largest subsurface water resources in the region. The natural equilibrium of these resources with quality of potable water, has gradually broken up because of the effects of exaggerated exploitation and industrial pollution.

Therefore the welfare of future generations requires us to stop this process, already irreversible in human life-scale in order to satisfy the need for drinking water.

The surface and subsurface palaeokarst systems in Hungary represent a resource great value for the population. They give about 10% of the subsurface, partly thermal water resources, approximately 30% of the petroleum reserves, all of the bauxite, limestone and dolomite resources and a significant part of manganese ores.

The caves have extraordinary value in themselves, with their minerals, fossils and living flora and fauna. The surface occurrences of these palaeokarst systems have a specific role in the formation of the landscape and in the evolution of the biosphere. They are of increasing importance for human ecology.

Consequently the palaeokarst systems have huge natural potential. Exploitation of any elements this potential should be realized exclusively on the account of the other ones and could result in the break up of its equilibrium. This process deterioration was generated by the effects of mining activity, of industrialization and urbanization some ten years ago, which resulted in the acceleration of a considerable drop of the karst water table, influenced by climatic changes too, and resulted in increasing, sometimes critical pollution of the palaeokarst systems. Among the elements of the systems the environmental factors, the quantity, quality and the state of the karst waters have become decisive. Therefore the aim of the present study is to contribute to the protection and to the rehabilitation of the palaeokarst aquifer systems.

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