Original Papers
Vol. 14 No. 4 (2025)
Comparative analysis of water temperatures variability from hourly to annual time scales in two large karst springs in the dinaric karst
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Published: 23 December 2025
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This study presents a comparative analysis of water temperatures from the Jadro and Ombla springs, two of the largest karst springs in the Dinaric Karst region of Croatia, situated 162.7 km apart. Both analyzed springs fall into the category of highly karstified systems. The analysis encompasses data recorded hourly from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2021. During this period, comprehensive datasets of hourly water temperatures were available for both springs. The study examined four temporal scales: annual, monthly, daily, and hourly. Results revealed both similarities and distinctions in water temperature behavior within the coastal Dinaric Karst region. At Jadro and Ombla, the average annual water temperatures were 12.895ºC and 12.875ºC, respectively. The air temperature significantly influences the variations in water temperatures at both springs. At Jadro, the upward temperature trend was statistically insignificant, while at Ombla, the downward trend was similarly insignificant. The temperature range at Jadro (2.0°C) was significantly smaller than that at Ombla (3.4°C). From December to April, Jadro exhibited higher average monthly water temperatures than Ombla, while from June to September, temperatures at Jadro were lower than those at Ombla. The water temperatures at both springs were nearly identical during May, October, and November. The differences in water temperature ranges between the two springs are primarily shaped by the location, size, and natural characteristics of their catchments, including surface terrain, geological structure, hydrogeological properties, and the relative position of the water table to the ground surface.
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Comparative analysis of water temperatures variability from hourly to annual time scales in two large karst springs in the dinaric karst. (2025). Acque Sotterranee - Italian Journal of Groundwater, 14(4). https://doi.org/10.7343/as-2025-905
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