Hydrogeological zoning as a basis for hydrogeological heritage zoning distinguishing through example of the territory of Serbia

Abstract

Correct approach to defining and protection of hydrogeological heritage of Serbia, in the author's opinion, is in a hierarchical series hydrogeological units distinguishing, not only with specific relations of some rock categories expressed, but also with groundwater accumulated in standard permeable media and their discharge through various outcrops. So, in the next stage, for each of the first-order units, selection and ranking of the lower-order interesting hydrogeological units, standard water-bearing formations and characteristic hydrogeological profiles is significantly simplified, and, finally makes a choice of objects (phenomena) characterizing some hydrogeological units easier. As a base for hydrogeological zoning, valud geotectonic classification of the territory of Serbia was used, because the first-order distinguished geotectonic units are characterized by: specific geological composition (columnar section), structural fabric and specific geomorphological and hydrogeological features. Aim of the paper is to perform a review of basic characteristics of such separated units and to direct attention to some lower-order hydrgeological units, water-bearing formations and groundwater occurrences within, interesting from aspects of geological heritage protection. It can be concluded that geotectonic, in other words, hydrogeological zoning of the territory of Serbia, takes important place in strategy of defining hydrogeological heritage to be protected. Further working out of the matter requires contributions of numerous hydrogeologists, experts in some areas within Serbia, as well as coordinating according to some (common) objects with specialities from other fields of the natural sciences (geomorphologists, hydrologists, speleologists, etc). During the initial stage, besides issuing of criteria for hydrogeological objects ranking, modern systematics of geological heritage objects has to be made, according to which fields of work these disciplines would be stated precisely.