Mathematical modeling to define catchment size and real evapotranspiration (case study: Andrića karst spring, Western Serbia)

136 135 М30 М34 Water resources in karst are extremely important sources of drinking water supply. The quality of groundwater formed in karst aquifers is generally high and in most cases only chlorination is required. However, from a hydrogeological perspective, these water resources are the least studied. Often only basic information is available on catchment size, groundwater reserves (dynamic and static, if any) and groundwater balance. Detailed hydrogeological investigations and long-term monitoring of karst spring discharges are needed to acquire such information. In Serbia, only one spring (the source of the Mlava River) is being continuously monitored. Other karst springs are either not monitored at all or observed for short periods of time, usually to address a specific problem. In 1995, the National Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia established gauging stations at another 5 karst springs, including Andrića Vrelo (Andrića Spring) in Western Serbia, Zlatibor District. Monitoring of the 5 springs was discontinued between 2004 and 2006.