The hydraulic heritage of the gallery system of Zucana (Almansa, SE Spain) and its geological and hydrogeological conditions

Drainage galleries or qanats are water collection structures unique in their technical conception, architecture and archaeological value, their origins dating back to the dawn of Mesopotamian civilisation but widespread in the arid and semi-arid zones of Spain. The water mine of Zucana, in SE Spain, is a mediaeval mine of Arabic origin whose multiple ramifications drain ten underground springs with a joint flow of 18-25 l/s, integrated by galleries with a total length of 1 625 m and about thirty shafts/light wells. The water mine constitutes the main drainage point of the Zucana aquifer, an independent system overlying other hydrogeological structures in the area. In addition to the mine's construction and historical aspects, its geological characteristics, hydrodynamic functioning and the hydrological aquifer balance are described and analysed as well as the hydrochemical properties of its waters, in order to estblish the criteria that will allow its water resources to be safeguarded and protected.
Drainage galleries or qanats are water collection structures unique in their technical conception, architecture and archaeological value, their origins dating back to the dawn of Mesopotamian civilisation but widespread in the arid and semi-arid zones of Spain. The water mine of Zucana, in SE Spain, is a mediaeval mine of Arabic origin whose multiple ramifications drain ten underground springs with a joint flow of 18-25 l/s, integrated by galleries with a total length of 1 625 m and about thirty shafts/light wells. The water mine constitutes the main drainage point of the Zucana aquifer, an independent system overlying other hydrogeological structures in the area. In addition to the mine's construction and historical aspects, its geological characteristics, hydrodynamic functioning and the hydrological aquifer balance are described and analysed as well as the hydrochemical properties of its waters, in order to estblish the criteria that will allow its water resources to be safeguarded and protected.