Mise-a-la-masse method, tracer tests and cave detection analysis of underground-river karst-conduit distribution and structure: a case study of the Dafengdong conduits in Guizhou Province, China

In karst areas, groundwater movement is dominated by conduit flow; thus, understanding the distribution and structure of karst conduits has great significance for water research, groundwater protection and engineering construction. With the Dafengdong (Guizhou Province , China) underground river karst as an example, a mise-a-la-masse method, tracer tests and cave detection were conducted to study the distribution and structure of karst conduits. Combined with information on the geological and hydrogeological conditions, the geological factors that form karst conduits were determined. It can be concluded that: (1) Under the influence of faults, karst conduits usually develop towards or along faults; (2) multiple karst conduits form easily on both sides of tectonic fracture zones; (3) both lithology and geological structure affect the formation of blue holes, and when the directions of karst conduits change, blue holes easily form in weak parts of the structure; (4) at springs where two aquifers intersect, with strong chemical dissolution of the lower karst aquifer and mechanical collapse of the upper aquifer, blue holes also form easily; and (5) integrated mise-a-la-masse method, tracer tests and cave detection can accurately discern the distribution and structure of karst conduits. Geological factors can be used to preliminarily delineate the distribution and structure of karst conduits in similar areas based on hydrogeological conditions. Such methods hold great significance for groundwater extraction and protection and engineering construction in karst areas.