Hydrogeological structure of the Vistula River valley between Kamień and Puławy, eastern Poland

Abstract

The monotonous and structurally uniform carbonate massif of Upper Cretaceous and Lower Palaeocene rocks in the western part of the Lublin Region is cut by river valleys significantly influencing the groundwater circulation system. The buried and contemporary river valleys, filled mainly with sand and gravel deposits, are influenced mainly by tectonic processes occurring in this region. The preglacial Vistula River valley between Kamień and Puławy constitutes a hydrogeological structure, the history of which is connected both with tectonics and with the influence of river waters. Its course has been determined by detailed hydrogeological exploration. Excellent hydrogeological parameters occurring within its limits cause high outputs from groundwater wells. There are also zones of increased water-bearing capacity within the carbonate massif. Their course, determined on the basis of analysis of the spatial distribution of hydrogeological parameters, coincides with sites of dislocation zones (zones of weakness in the rock massif).