The complex hydrogeology of the unique Wieliczka salt mine

• Autorzy: Brudnik K. , Czop M. , Motyka J. , d'Obyrn K. , Rogoż M. , Witczak S.
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

The saltmine in Wieliczka is a mining plant which is unique on the worldwide scale, which has been developing since the Middle Ages until the present times. The high geological complexity of bedrock in the vicinity of the mine, which is associated with the Carpathians orogeny, determines the high level of complexity of local hydrogeological conditions. At present, about 260 l/min of water discharges into the mine, which is considered very high as for a salt mine. 86% of that amount comes from three major inflows, i.e. WVII-16 (from Fornalska II chamber), WVI-32 (from Z-32 chamber) and WVI-6 (from Z-28 chamber). These seepages cause threats to the mine, not only due to their large volumes but also due to high quantities of salt that is leaching from the rock mass. The most troubled area in the Wieliczka salt mine, from the hydrogeological viewpoint, is the northern border, where salt deposits are in contact with strongly dislocated sandstones via a gypsum-clay layer. These sandstone deposits comprise not very productive aquifers that, to some degree, are isolated from one another.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

rock salt; hydrogeology; water catastrophes; Wieliczka Salt Mine

PL

sól kamienna; hydrogeologia; kopalnia soli Wieliczka

• Wydawca: Państwowy Instytut Geologiczny - Państwowy Instytut Badawczy
• Czasopismo: Przegląd Geologiczny
• Rocznik: 2010
• Tom: Vol. 58, nr 9/1
• Strony: 787--796
• Opis fizyczny: Bibliogr. 7 poz., rys., tab., wykr.

Twórcy

autor

Brudnik K.

autor

Czop M.

autor

Motyka J.

autor

d'Obyrn K.

autor

Rogoż M.

autor

Witczak S.

• Wieliczka Salt Mine, Park Kingi 1, 32-020 Wieliczka, Poland,

Bibliografia

• BRUDNIK K., PRZYBYŁO J. & STECKA J. 2000 - Geological structure and hydrogeological conditions of the Crystal Caves area. [In:] Alexandrowicz Z. (ed.) - The Crystal Caves in the Wieliczka Salt Mine. Studia Naturae, 46: 35-58. Instytut Ochrony Środowiska PAN, Kraków.
• GARLICKI A. & WILK Z. 1993 - Geological and hydrogeological background of the recent water damage in Wieliczka Salt Mine (in Polish). Prz. Geol., 3: 183-192.
• KOLASA K. 1990 - The geology of the Wieliczka salt deposit. Studies and materials on the history of salt-works in Poland (in Polish), 16: 125-140.
• KUROWSKI P. 1990 - Tourist routes in the Wieliczka Salt Mine. Studies and materials on the history of salt-works in Poland (in Polish), 16: 148-167.
• ŚLIZOWSKI K. & SAŁUGA P. 1996a - Salt deposits of Poland. [In:] Ney R. (ed.) - Mineral resources of Poland. Chemical raw materials - rock salt (in Polish): 17-66. Wyd. Centrum PPGSMiE PAN, Kraków.
• ŚLIZOWSKI K. & SAŁUGA P. 1996b - Exploitation of salt deposits in Poland. [In:] Ney R. (ed.) - Mineral resources of Poland. Chemical raw materials - rock salt (in Polish): 70-140. Wyd. Centrum PPGSMiE PAN, Kraków.
• ZUBER A., GRABCZAK J. & GARLICKI A. 2000 - Catastrophic and dangerous inflows to salt mines in Poland as related to the origin of water determined by isotope methods. Env. Geol., 39: 299-311.