Consideraciones hidrogeológicas de la Cueva de las Calaveras (Benidoleig, Alicante)

Abstract

The existence of water in the Calaveras Cave has had special significance all through his history. However flow variations in this karstic spring have made that the inhabitants of this area trying to increase the flow, but it has not always been successful. This cave has been considered as a discharge point of the Solana de la Llosa aquifer. However the higher altitude of Calaveras spring according to the regional piezometric level is not very easy to explain. In this paper, inspired on the work made by Jiménez de Cisneros in 1932, we try to stablish a conceptual hydrodynamic model of this karstic spring. The presence of a small thick marls and a fault system can explain how it work the Calaveras spring and the existence of small lagoons inside. Finally, the chemistry of the water was monitored throughout 1990. The water fits within the framework of the calcium-bicarbonates facies, which are maintained over this period.