Springs of the Tatra Massif

The Tatras are characterized by a high springability degree because of its considerable elevation above the surrounding Paleogene basins, deep cuttings in the massif by big river valleys and abundance of rainfall. The most common outflows are ftltration springs draining porous water of Quaternary deposits. Fissure springs which drain fissure water of crystalline core, lower Triassic quartzitic sandstones and sedimentary series with a smaller proportion of the carbonate rocks, are less numerous. The most productive outflows are springs and karst springs which are connected with the Tatra's carbonate sediments and, to a lesser degree, carbonate Eocene deposits (fig. l). The article includes the characteristics of these springs and karst springs which were monitored. Results of the stationary research, carried out since the 70s, showed that the dynamics and chemism of water drained by the Tatra's karst springs are decisively influenced by the location of the alimentation area. As far as the efficiency of outflows is concerned all the karst springs qualified for the III Meinzer's class. However, the karst springs can be divided into karst springs draining areas within orographic catchment basin of lower outputs between 3Q0-..400l/s (Chochołowskie and Bystre Springs) and those whose underground watersheds exceed orographic basin of the output between 500-700 Ifs (Lodowe, Goryczkowe, Olczyskie Springs). Carbonate Eocene is drained by the karst springs and springs of much lower outputs (IV and V Meinzer's class).W artykule przedstawiono charakterystykę źródeł obszaru tatrzańskiego. Szczególną uwagę zwrócono na wywierzyska. Wskazano na dynamikę i chemizm wód drenowanych przez źródła