Karst groundwater of the Tomorri massif: an important resource for South Albania

Abstract

The most significant aquifers in Albania are in carbonate rocks, consisting of 23 separate karst structures, often referred to as karst areas. Their total area covers ~6,440 km², roughly 24% of the country’s surface. The natural groundwater resources in these regions amount to ~227 m³/s. These resources supply ~80% of the water for the population in Albanian cities. The Tomorri karst massif is one of Albania’s most important karst structures because it is located in a large area of southern Albania, built on flysch and other low-permeability strata that are very deficient in groundwater. High-quality groundwater resources in this massif provide water to >150,000 residents in Berat, Poliçan, Çorovoda, Gramsh, and several villages. In this paper we assess the quantity and quality of groundwater resources within this massif to help ensure their safe use and protection, providing the first compilation, analysis and synthesis of all available groundwater data for the area, primarily collected from separate investigations conducted for practical purposes. Our analysis covers observations on spring discharges related to climate patterns, estimates of renewable general karst water resources of the massif, groundwater quality, environmental isotope concentrations, and the overall environmental conditions and pollution vulnerability. We relate this information to the geological structure and karst geomorphology of the Tomorri massif. This massif is a groundwater basin with high permeability, where the main factor influencing groundwater movement and drainage is the direction of hydraulic slope. This means that karst groundwater flows towards the boundary between the carbonate formations and nearly impermeable flysch layers surrounding the massif. The karst water resources mainly discharge through four large springs: Guaku, Bogova, Kërpica and Sotira. We also highlight environmental issues associated with intensive quarrying in the massif, and emphasize the importance of raising public awareness of karst areas, particularly as regards protecting the abundant groundwater resources of the large Tomorri karst massif.