Geographical Conditions for Formation of Spring Flow in the Transvolga-Ural Region

Abstract

We examine the conditions for formation of spring flow of the Transvolga-Ural region (within Orenburg oblast). Material in this paper summarizes data on hydrochemical parameters of more than 3000 springs in four hydrogeological provinces. To generate the database used the capabilities of the licensed version of GIS MapInfo. An analysis is made of the specific features in the manifestation of different factors for landscape differentiation in hydrochemical characteristics of groundwater outlets. This assessment involved comparing the conventional physical-geographical boundaries within Orenburg oblast with the spatial dynamics of key parameters of spring outlets: output, mineralization, elevation and the ratio of cations to anions. Among the leading factors for formation of spring flow, we identified the latitudinal zonality, the geological-geomorphological azonality and the altitudinal-genetic layering. A comparison is made of the characteristics of the pings in the forest-steppe and steppe zones of Orenburg oblast as well as of the parameters of the springs for the altitudinal-genetic stages of the landscape regions of Transvolga and South Ural. An analysis is made of the factors of spring flow for hydrogeological regions and provinces of Transvolga and Southern Ural. The statements of the concept of landscape genesis for spring geosystems are outlined. For the Transvolga-Ural region the characteristic features of the distribution of hydrological and hydrochemical anomalies of the spring waters are due to the local differentiation of natural factors, such as granitoid intrusions, salt tectonics, sand massifs, red and limestone layers, hummocky terrains, and syrt and piedmont-ridge relief). Spring outlets of groundwater have an indication and reference significance for assessing the flow formation conditions, the hydromorphic features in the landscape as well as in evaluating the ecological status of surface waters in a particular region.