Genetic mechanisms and effective control of karst waterlogging

HUANG Qibo; KANG Zhiqiang; DENG Zhong; TANG Yongchen; WU Huaying; ZOU Changpei; LI Tengfang; LIAO Hongwei; MA Junfei; LIANG Jian

doi:10.11932/karst2025y020

Abstract：The global karst area covers about 22 million km2,accounting for 15％of the Earth's land surface.Populations living in karst areas face varying degrees of threat from droughts and floods.Waterlogging is a geological hazard resulting from the interaction of karst geological and geomorphological conditions with human activities.The enclosed karst terrain,combined with intensive human engineering,has led to severe soil erosion.Soil leaks into the lower karst pipeline through the sinkholes,causing underground pipeline blockages,drainage obstructions,and frequent waterlogging events.With the increase in extreme weather,intensified human activities,soil erosion in low-lying areas,and blockage of karst pipelines,untreated conditions will lead to more frequent and severe waterlogging in these areas. Karst waterlogging disasters have caused significant losses to people in karst areas,seriously threatening their production and life.Comprehensive management of these disasters is a critical national priority.Waterlogging disasters are characterized by periodicity,clustered occurrences,and sudden onset.The enclosed karst landforms and their distinctive"binary"structure of the karst aquifer are the internal factors contributing to karst waterlogging.The subtropical monsoon climate,with its concentrated rainfall,provides the external condition necessary for the occurrence of karst waterlogging.Unreasonable engineering activities have caused a large amount of soil and water loss,blocking underground karst channels;this human impact has increasingly exacerbated karst waterlogging.Severe karst waterlogging mainly occurs in karst valleys and depressions where underground rivers and pipelines are developed.The recharge,runoff,and discharge areas of an underground river each has distinct mechanisms that contribute to internal waterlogging. At present,there is a lack of systematic research and characterization of the"binary"structure of karst aquifers.Soil erosion reduces the rainfall threshold required to cause waterlogging,yet no relevant studies examined the impact of soil erosion on the degeneration of the water conveyance capacity of underground pipeline.Furthermore,in-depth research on the formation mechanisms of karst waterlogging disasters is insufficient,making it difficult to predict the extent of such disasters and the associated losses caused under extreme climate events.This significantly undermines the effectiveness of karst waterlogging control measures.Moving forward,systematic observations of the hydrological dynamics and soil erosion dynamics that contribute to urban waterlogging should be carried out.Detailed characterization of the karst aquifer's fracture-cave"binary"structure is necessary,along with clarification of the rainfall threshold and its variability that trigger urban waterlogging.Additionally,the hydrological and soil erosion processes,as well as their controlling factors leading to karst waterlogging disasters,should be elucidated.The relationship between the reduction coefficient of outlet flow and the amount of soil erosion in low-lying areas should be analyzed.Ultimately,the mechanisms,evolutionary patterns,and principles underlying karst waterlogging formation should be systematically revealed to inform the development of scientifically sound and effective countermeasures for karst waterlogging management.