Karst hydrogeology and environmental impacts of Pamukkale thermal springs

Pamukkale travertine area is one of the world's most important natural heritages located in the West Anatolian geographical region of Turkey. Pamukkale 'cotton castle' is covered by the widespread natural, white travertines which are acquired immediately on deposition from hot spring waters. Definition of the physico-chemical characteristics of the hot waters, factors affecting the travertine deposition, the sources of pollution, delineation of protection areas and establishing the conservation strategy were the main objectives of this project. Geological and hydrogeological mapping, hydrological analyses, hydrochemical measurements and analyses, isotopic analyses and evaluations, dye tracing and a pumping test were carried out in achieving these objectives. Based on the results obtained from these studies, a new concrete canal system was constructed for hot water distribution onto the travertine area, and a conservation strategy was established.