Peter Gerginov

• Ph.D
• Professor (Associate) at Geological Institute, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

Groundwater is an important component of river runoff, the quantification of which provides valuable information for water management. This study aims to evaluate the spatial and temporal variations in the contribution of groundwater to the river flow in the Mesta River Basin. Two tasks were performed with corresponding research methods and study p...

Hydrogeological conditions in karst areas reflect the high velocities of groundwater movement in open or material-filled channels. Usually they remain hidden under the ground, and only high flow rates of the flowing underground water reveal them. An example is one of the largest karst springs in Bulgaria – Glava Panega in the village of Zlatna Pane...

The northern part of the Municipality of Brezovo falls within the range of a fractured massif, which predetermines the presence of springs with a limited flow rate, insufficient for water supply for the villages there, which necessitates the localization of suitable locations for boreholes drilling. After a complex assessment of the geological-hydr...

Groundwater in the Botеvgrad Kettle (West Bulgaria) is important for the local population. Despite the information available for this area, the catchment area of this kettle is poorly studied from a hydrogeological perspective. Therefore, the objective of this current study is to assess the hydrogeological conditions based on existing information f...

The object of research is the Iskrets spring, one of the large and important karst springs in Bulgaria. A characteristic feature of its regime is the temporary interruptions of its outflow. The purpose of the research is to establish the probable causes and mechanism for these interruptions. After analyzing the hydrogeological situation and data fr...

The regional hydrogeological conditions in Northern Bulgaria determine the existence of a large artesian basin consisting of layered aquifers. The groundwater temperature increase with depth and the conditions in the deeper layers are favourable for the formation of stratified hydrothermal reservoirs with potential for heat extraction. Although it...

Hydrogeological conditions largely depend on the permeability of the geological environment. In areas with complex geological and tectonic conditions, the detection of hydraulic heterogeneity of the rocks and determination of groundwater-rich zones is a challenge for hydrogeological practice. The aim of the study is to analyze the geological and te...

The regime of karst springs in Bulgaria is rather variable on different time scales. The most important limitation for water management are seasonal low flows. Modeling the regime of large karst springs is challenging due to variety of factors that act both in time and space. Determining the minimum input data required is important to clarify the k...

The presence of arsenic in the Ogosta River Valley's alluvial sediments is subject to historical contamination due to upstream located ore-factories, tailing ponds, and even industrial accidents from the past. In recent years, there have been several types of research focused on different aspects of the contaminated alluvial sediments in the floodp...

After Bulgaria’s accession to the European Community, a process of harmonization of national legislation with the European Union has started. This has led to the introduction of the term “groundwater bodies”, sometimes resulting in conflicts between hydrogeologists and water management experts. Some examples are considered in this respect, relating...

Loess and loess-like sediments cover approximately 13% of the Bulgarian territory, mainly within the Danubian plain. From the Danube River to the Fore-Balkan, the loess soils form a loess complex where its depth varies from 50-60 meters in the north to few meters in the south, respectively. Widespread loess sediments possess a specific feature: the...

As a result of historical mining activities, some layers in the Ogosta Valley`s floodplain sediments are highly enriched in arsenic (As). Reductive release of iron (Fe) and As in the floodplain soil could be expected under reducing conditions, which would lead to an increase of the more toxic As species in the soil pore water. Therefore, it is impo...

Loess and loess-like sediments cover approximately 11% of the Bulgarian territory mostly in northern part of the country. From the Danube River to the ForeBalkan, the loess soils together with paleosoils constitute a loess complex where its depth varies from 50– 60 meters in north to few meters in south, respectively. Generally, the unsaturated zon...

The widespread loess deposits with a typically deep unsaturated zone are a specific feature of Northern Bulgaria. The vadose zone thickness varies from 1–2 up to 40–50 m. The downward water flux occurs as a diffuse infiltration in depth. It is controlled and in the same time characterized by so-called “soil-water retention curve”, representing the...

Dissertation represents a modern concept of hydrogeological conditions in the area of NPP “Kozloduy” in Bulgaria, assessing the quantitative status and dynamics of groundwater. Regional and local mathematical hydrogeological models have been designed to allow an area estimation of groundwater balance elements. An up-to-date hydrodynamic map was pre...

The studied karst spring Palilula from Northwest Bulgaria is characterized by fast reaction to rainfall events and water temperature about 14°C. Based on field explorations of the area, most possible location of inflow of surface waters from the Lipenska River is identified. Obviously, the spring receives water from the neighbor rivers-most possibl...

Groundwater and aquifers in mountainous regions are important sources for public water supply. Quantification of groundwater resources in such regions with predominantly fissured environment and scarce hy-drogeological information requires application of specific methodological approaches. In this study, an approach for approximate evaluation of th...

Intense groundwater flow in the Kozloduy Lowland is related to the formed layered aquifer on the contemporary Danube River terrace. The main factors affecting the groundwater regime are fluctuations of the Danube River, water influx from the south and the recharge as a part of the rainfalls in the area. The drainage system in the central part of th...

In relation with a study of the arsenic pollution of groundwater in the Ogosta Valley, a monitoring station was built in the floodplain in the upper reaches of the river not far from the town of Chiprovtsi. The monitoring took place at three adjacent sites including a hydrometric river gauge and two tube wells located closer and further from the ri...

The studied area is located in the vicinity of Rashid branch, part of the Nile Delta. This region is part of one of the most important aquifers in the world. The review of published information indicates that the existing zone of interaction between groundwater and sea salt water is complicated by the variable lithological composition in vertical a...

This paper is devoted to the objective and progress of the activities undertaken in the frames of the project DFNI -E02/4. The aim of the project is to quantify water flow within the unsaturated zone of the loess complex, which is widespread in North Bulgaria. With respect to substantial variability of precipitation and evaporation, water fluxes ch...

The territory of Northern Bulgaria is an object for searching oil and natural gas. Essential aspect of these activities is prediction and estimation of impact on groundwater and its protection. Many factors and all sources should be studied in detail in order to avoid any negative impact on groundwater during study and exploitation of oil and natur...

The territory of Northern Bulgaria is an object for searching oil and natural gas. Essential aspect of these activities is prediction and estimation of impact on groundwater and its protection. Many factors and all sources should be studied in detail in order to avoid any negative impact on groundwater during study and exploitation of oil and natur...

The region of the Western Balkan is characterized by its complex geology and the presence of polymetallic ores. Iron and base metal (Pb-Ag) deposits are located in the upper valley of the Ogosta River near the town of Chiprovtsi. The local Fe-ores are rich in arsenic and copper, while the Pb-Ag ores contain much zinc and cadmium. The former mining...

The study area is located in Southeast Bulgaria. The main factors affecting climate in Burgas lowland are the proximity to the Black Sea and to mountains. The aim of the study is to quantify the long-term value of the baseflow and other water balance elements. The methods include Turc-Radiation equation, equation relating baseflow coefficient with...

Увод. Подхранването на подземните води е един от елементите на водния баланс, които силно зависят от климата. Дунавската равнина, заемаща равнинната част на Северна България, е покрита с льосови отложения. Климатът тук е умереноконтинентален, като валежната сума закономерно намалява от юг на север. Целта на настоящето изследване е оценка на многого...

Flooded abandoned coal mines are a potential source of geothermal energy, which could be used for heating and cooling of energy efficient buildings. Cherno More Coal Mine is located in SE Bulgaria and has been closed for more than 20 years. It represents a large human-induced subsurface reservoir which consists of three interconnected coalfields ("...

The present paper deals with evaluation and mapping of the intrinsic vulnerability for the Ogosta River Basin in northwestern Bulgaria. The protective cover and infiltration conditions (PI) method is used developed within the scope of COST 620 Project. According to this method, PI factors are evaluated and groundwater vulnerability map is prepared....

The human impact on the environment as a result of natural goods mastering often leads to contamination of wide areas. Example for that is the work of “Cumerio—Med” AD factory, situated between Zlatitsa and Pirdop towns. The hydrodynamic modelling shows the tendencies in groundwater movement in the investigated area. Simulation of pollutants migrat...

Human activities may have serious impact on groundwater. Shallow aquifers suffer mostly from pollutants. The most widespread non-point source pollutant of groundwater in Bulgaria are nitrates The study refers to the Ogosta River basin in NW Bulgaria. Different kinds of human pressure are presented and assessed. The results show that human pressure...

The Upper Jurassic - Lower Cretaceous aquifer is the most productive in Bulgaria. It has national importance as a huge groundwater reservoir and is a transboundary aquifer shared between Bulgaria and Romania. Modelling is a powerful method for the purposes of groundwater management. Part of this aquifer was modelled. Due to large modelled area, ava...