The karstlands of Antigua, their land use and conservation

The northeastern 110 km², or nearly 40%, of Antigua is underlain by impure limestones of the Oligocene-aged Antigua Formation, on which has developed a subdued karst landscape consisting essentially of shallow enclosed depressions (dolines), intermittently active stream valleys and widely scattered residual hills. The dispersed dolines are broad, shallow and clustered, especially in the central and southeastern sections of the limestone belt, where they attain densities of 7/km². The widely spaced residual hills attain heights of up to 40 m and localized densities of over 4/km². Five main valley systems up to 6 km in length traverse the limestone in a broadly northeast direction, carrying both autogenic drainage from within the karst area and allogenic drainage from the non-carbonate Central Plain. Karst and cave development has been constrained by the low purity of the limestones. Of the four types of carbonate islands identified within the Carbonate Island Karst Model, Antigua most closely resembles the Composite Island type. The karst has been much influenced by human activities, particularly agriculture and quarrying, and is now a focus of the burgeoning tourism industry. Virtually none of the karst is designated as protected areas, but several sites warrant protection, and several conservation strategies have been suggested.     

Cosmogenic Be and Al exposure ages of tors and erratics, Cairngorm Mountains, Scotland: Timescales for the development of a classic landscape of selective linear glacial erosion

The occurrence of tors within glaciated regions has been widely cited as evidence for the preservation of relic pre-Quaternary landscapes beneath protective covers of non-erosive dry-based ice. Here, we test for the preservation of pre-Quaternary landscapes with cosmogenic surface exposure dating of tors. Numerous granite tors are present on summit plateaus in the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland where they were covered by local ice caps many times during the Pleistocene. Cosmogenic ¹⁰Be and ²⁶Al data together with geomorphic relationships reveal that these landforms are more dynamic and younger than previously suspected. Many Cairngorm tors have been bulldozed and toppled along horizontal joints by ice motion, leaving event surfaces on tor remnants and erratics that can be dated with cosmogenic nuclides. As the surfaces have been subject to episodic burial by ice, an exposure model based upon ice and marine sediment core proxies for local glacial cover is necessary to interpret the cosmogenic nuclide data. Exposure ages and weathering characteristics of tors are closely correlated. Glacially modified tors and boulder erratics with slightly weathered surfaces have ¹⁰Be exposure ages of about 15 to 43 ka. Nuclide inheritance is present in many of these surfaces. Correction for inheritance indicates that the eastern Cairngorms were deglaciated at 15.6 ± 0.9 ka. Glacially modified tors with moderate to advanced weathering features have ¹⁰Be exposure ages of 19 to 92 ka. These surfaces were only slightly modified during the last glacial cycle and gained much of their exposure during the interstadial of marine Oxygen Isotope Stage 5 or earlier. Tors lacking evidence of glacial modification and exhibiting advanced weathering have ¹⁰Be exposure ages between 52 and 297 ka. Nuclide concentrations in these surfaces are probably controlled by bedrock erosion rates instead of discrete glacial events. Maximum erosion rates estimated from ¹⁰Be range from 2.8 to 12.0 mm/ka, with an error weighted mean of 4.1 ± 0.2 mm/ka. Three of these surfaces yield model exposure-plus-burial ages of 295_− 71^+ 84, 520_− 141^+ 178, and 626_− 85^+ 102 ka. A vertical cosmogenic nuclide profile across the oldest sampled tor indicates a long-term emergence rate of 31 ± 2 mm/ka. These findings show that dry-based ice caps are capable of substantially eroding tors by entraining blocks previously detached by weathering processes. Bedrock surfaces and erratic boulders in such settings are likely to have nuclide inheritance and may yield erroneous (too old) exposure ages. While many Cairngorm tors have survived multiple glacial cycles, rates of regolith stripping and bedrock erosion are too high to permit the widespread preservation of pre-Quaternary rock surfaces.     

Factors controlling carbonate dissolution rates quantified in a field test in the Austrian alps

Carbonate dissolution rates were investigated by measuring the mass difference of carbonate tablets exposed to natural dissolution for 1 year. 70 tablets were distributed over 13 test sites on the north slope of the Hochschwab Massif in the Austrian Alps. The influences of altitude, subsoil vs. sub-aerial exposure, vegetation, karst morphology, soil humidity, sample lithology, and sample surface morphology were investigated. The observed dissolution rates varied between 13 and 40 μm/a for subcutaneous samples and about 11 μm/a for sub-aerial exposure. Outstandingly high rates of 48 μm/a were observed in a doline and nearly zero rates were measured at a site influenced by seeping spring water.A mass balance, using high-resolution hydrological data, was calculated for the Kläffer Spring, which has an average outflow of 4.8 m³/s. It indicated a loss of 21×10⁶ kg of carbonate rock per year which gives an average dissolution rate of 95 μm/a for the catchment area of 83 km². The dissolution rates of 10 μm/a from the sub-aerially exposed samples are comparable to values from limestone pedestals, which were protected from dissolution by glacial erratics for the past 15 ka.     

Weathering Pits as Indicators of the Relative Age of Granite Surfaces in the Cairngorm Mountains, Scotland

Weathering pits 1–140 cm deep occur on granite surfaces in the Cairngorms associated with a range of landforms, including tors, glacially exposed slabs, large erratics and blockfields. Pit depth is positively correlated with cosmogenic exposure age, and both measures show consistent relationships on individual rock landforms. Rates of pit deepening are non‐linear and a best fit is provided by the sigmoidal function D = b1 + exp(b2+b3/t). The deepest pits occur on unmodified tor summits, where ¹⁰Be exposure ages indicate that surfaces have been exposed to weathering for a minimum of 52–297 ka. Glacially exposed surfaces with pits 10–46 cm deep have given ¹⁰Be exposure durations of 21–79 ka, indicating exposure by glacial erosion before the last glacial cycle. The combination of cosmogenic exposure ages with weathering pit depths greatly extends the area over which inferences can be made regarding the ages of granite surfaces in the Cairngorms. Well‐developed weathering pits on glacially exposed surfaces in other granite areas are potential indicators of glacial erosion before the Last Glacial Maximum.     

Surface sediment characteristics and tower karst dissolution, Guilin, southern China

Dissolution of extensive outcrops of limestone and dolostone in humid tropical and subtropical southern China produced numerous caves and residual hills that are referred as tower karst. This study identifies and relates the physical and chemical characteristics of the surface sediment with the limestone bedrock in Guilin to assess the influence of the limestone dissolution process on sediment composition.The results of this study indicated that (i) both limestone and dolostone of the region are very pure (99.5% and 98.5% of CaCO₃ and MgCO₃, respectively); (ii) the material composition of limestone and dolostone is different from that of soil and sediment of the region: constituents of surface sediments are highly related with the clastic sedimentary rocks, such as the mudstone, but show negative correlation with limestone and dolostone; (iii) the limestone formations are highly resistant to physical weathering and disintegration; their durability versus physical weathering and their high susceptibility to chemical dissolution account for why residual towers can form and persist; (iv) a dual-zone environmental structure exists vertically downward from the surface in Guilin: the zone of unconsolidated clastic sediments that is predominantly acidic, and the zone of karstified limestone that is predominantly basic. The evidence suggests that the environment and processes differ in these two zones. The chemical dissolution of limestone that formed tower karst of the region is not mainly responsible for the accumulation of clastic sediment on the surface.     

CARBONATE EROSION RATES IN SOUTHWESTERN WISCONSIN

Between 1977 and 1979 three sets of erosional weight loss tablets were em-placed in the karst of southwestern Wisconsin to measure both potential and actual rates of carbonate erosion. Tablets of Jamaican White Limestone, which has been used in many other karst areas, were used to gauge relative erosion potential while tablets of the local bedrock, Prairie du Chien dolomite, were used to assess absolute rates. Tablets of Yugoslavian limestone were emplaced as part of a world-wide study of comparative rates. Tablets were recovered in 1983 and 1984. Although potential erosion rates are similar to those in other carbonate areas, the sluggish dissolution of the indigenous dolomite retards karst development. Soil cover increases erosion rates and rates at a given depth are consistent over sites of up to 10 m². The highest erosion rates were recorded by the Yugoslavian tablets but betweensite variations caution that results based on a single site may be unrepresentative. Over 37% of all tablets were affected by mechanical weathering processes, probably freeze-thaw action.     

青藏高原东北部古喀斯特过程与环境

本文介绍了青藏高原东北部地区的古喀斯特现象，并对相关沉积进行了化学成、粘土矿物的Ｘ－射线衍射以及石英砂表面结构等气候代用指标的分析。分析结果一致，指示了温暖湿润的亚热带气候条件。重结晶方解石的裂变径迹测年结果表明，该地区古喀斯特发育于中中新世。     

云南石林喀斯特小生境木本植物多样性特征

喀斯特生境与生物多样性的关系及对人为干扰的响应是喀斯特生态恢复的重要内容。以石林世界地质公园为例对此进行研究。从喀斯特溶痕与植物生长发育关系角度看,石林的小生境可分出节理溶沟、裂隙溶沟、楔状槽沟、深溶蚀坑、溶蚀石堆、浅溶蚀盘、溶蚀穿洞、溶蚀井或圆形溶槽和溶蚀廊道等9种。这些小生境的长度在31~340 cm,宽度在10~261 cm。在原生林、次生林、灌丛和灌丛草地等四个群落中调查了各个小生境的木本植物,共记录40科92种,个体数11420株,其中以溶蚀廊道的木本植物总数最多,溶蚀穿洞最少。物种和数量保持最稳定的小生境是溶蚀石堆和裂隙溶沟。各小生境群落间的物种相似性指数很低。裂隙溶沟、深溶蚀坑、楔状槽沟、溶蚀石堆等小生境在人为强烈干扰后,仍保留有部分乡土植物繁殖体,其他小生境缺乏,这些繁殖体对生态严重退化区的喀斯特植被恢复具有重要意义。喀斯特生境的尺度影响森林植被的自然恢复。保护喀斯特地质遗迹可以促进生物多样性恢复和保护,石林世界地质公园提供了例证。     

湘桂黔滇藏一线覆盖型岩溶地貌特征与岩溶(双层)夷平面

根据岩溶风化壳的发育条件及研究覆盖型岩溶特征,提出岩溶（双层）夷平面概念,认为研究区覆盖型岩溶是一个统一的岩溶（双层）夷平面的组成部分。其现阶段的存在形式如石林、岩墙等为后期不同程序风化－刻蚀作用的结果;其地貌形态多为土下成因,并随剥蚀程度、裸露时间环境的差异而叠加各种后期气下改造特征。     

A World Model of Chemical Denudation in Karst Terrains

In this paper, I develop global karst chemical denudation models using chemical equilibrium equations. Theoretical karst chemical denudation rates are calculated as soil carbon dioxide concentration varies from 10^?3.5 atm to 10^?1.0 atm, temperature varies from 0°C to 30°C, and annual runoff varies from 500 mm to 3,000 mm. Both open and closed karst solution systems are examined. The Drake (1980) and the Brook‐Folkoff‐Box (1983) soil pCO² equations are used to develop chemical denudation models for different carbonate rocks (limestone and dolomite), climate (tropical, temperate, and arctic/alpine terrains), and karst solution type (open and closed systems). The major conclusion is that the karst solution type, least known in the past karst studies, is an important factor in controlling chemical denudation rates.     

A World Model of Chemical Denudation in Karst Terrains

In this paper, I develop global karst chemical denudation models using chemical equilibrium equations. Theoretical karst chemical denudation rates are calculated as soil carbon dioxide concentration varies from 10^?3.5 atm to 10^?1.0 atm, temperature varies from 0°C to 30°C, and annual runoff varies from 500 mm to 3,000 mm. Both open and closed karst solution systems are examined. The Drake (1980) and the Brook-Folkoff-Box (1983) soil pCO² equations are used to develop chemical denudation models for different carbonate rocks (limestone and dolomite), climate (tropical, temperate, and arctic/alpine terrains), and karst solution type (open and closed systems). The major conclusion is that the karst solution type, least known in the past karst studies, is an important factor in controlling chemical denudation rates.     

Karst subzone division in vertical cycle zone and its significance

Vertical cycle karst zone has been studied for more than 100 years, however karst subzones in the zone have never been divided and affected depth of CO2 from rainwater in the zone has never been studied. On the basis of field observation, survey and chemical analysis, the difference of karst processes indicated by CaCO3and pH values in fine and loose sedimentary strata as well as limestone strata, and the vertical cycle zone ascertained by predecessors can be divided into three subzones, that is, the upper first subzone, characterized by unsaturated water solution and strong dissolution processes, the middle second subzone, characterized by supersaturated water solution and precipitation, and the lower third subzone, characterized by unstable water solution and weak dissolution or weak precipitation. The three subzones can indicate the vertical co2 cycle. In fine and loose sediment strata, the bottom of the first subzone is the lower boundary strongly influenced by co2 from rainwater, soil and air; all co2 from rainwater, soil and air is almost exhausted in the second subzone. In the early developmental period of karst process in limestone strata, karst funnels and vertical caves do not form, vertical seeping of rainwater and soil water is very slow, and co2 from soil, rainwater and air almost can reach the third subzone, but in the middle and late developmental periods, karst funnels and vertical caves occur, co2 from soil, rainwater and air can reach deep seasonal change zone and horizontal cycle zone and quicken development of karst morphology. Deep karst morphology near groundwater level under vertical cycle zone develops better in the middle and late periods of karst process.     

垂直循环带内岩溶亚带的划分

1 Introduction On the basis of flowing direction and characteristics of karst processes, four basic vertical karst zones were divided long ago, namely, vertical cycle zone, seasonal alternative cycle zone, horizontal cycle zone and deep cycle zone (Yang e…     

Phreatic drainage conduits within quartz sandstone: Evidence from the Jurassic Precipice Sandstone, Carnarvon Range, Queensland, Australia

Discrete underground drainage conduits in quartz sandstones are far less common than in limestones. This paper provides field evidence from the quartzose Precipice Sandstone in the Carnarvon Range of south-central Queensland, Australia, for tubular underground drainage networks similar in many ways to limestone conduits. Diameters range from less than 1 or 2 cm to over 1.5 m, most display a near-circular to oval cross-section that seems to suggest phreatic or epiphreatic development, and the internal surfaces of many are case-hardened by secondary silica deposits. A number of the region's perennial springs appear to be fed by such tubes.The dominant vertical jointing of the quartz sandstone and relatively high permeability of the sandstone are important controls on tube formation. Solutional weathering of the sandstone is widespread, and is followed by the removal of loosened sand grains by flowing underground water, the process of ‘arenisation’. Tube development would appear to have been happening for a very long time, and may still be occurring. A model for tube network formation is proposed.These findings highlight our potentially poor understanding of groundwater flow within some quartz sandstones, and may have important groundwater management implications.     

A PALAEOMAGNETIC STUDY OF JURASSIC AND CRETACEOUS SEDIMENTS

Summary. Representative samples of Cretaceous and Jurassic arenaceous rocks and some Jurassic limestone samples were collected. The arenaceous rocks were generally either too weakly magnetized for the measurement of their remanent magnetization, or were unstable; higher intensities of magnetization were recorded in the limestones. The magnetic directions of the few reversed Jurassic limestones indicate a pole position near Omsk. X-ray analysis indicates that the detrital iron ore mineral present was goethite. It is concluded that the palaeomagnetic unsuitability of these Jurassic and Cretaceous deltaic deposits results from the weathering conditions in the source area.     

Adjustments by the Charwell River, New Zealand, to uplift and climatic changes

Major climatic changes and rapid local and regional tectonic movements were common in New Zealand during the late Quaternary and caused a diversity of adjustments in the drainage-basin and piedmont reaches of the Charwell River, which are separated by the Hope Fault. The onset of semi-arid, frigid climates during the latest Pleistocene probably greatly increased hillslope sediment yields in a periglacial environment, and the piedmont reach aggraded as much as 42 m on top of a broad strath. With the return of humid, mesic climates in the Holocene sediment yields decreased as dense forests again mantled the slopes, and the piedmont reach degraded as mush as 81 m. Dating of eleven cut-and-strath terraces by radiocarbon-calibrated weathering rind measurements on greyawake cobbles shows the degradation rates varied greatly during the last 14 ka (1 ka = 1000 yr). Initial degradation rates of < 4 m ka⁻¹ increased to 30 m ka ⁻¹ by 6 ka ago during a mid-Holocene climatic optimum. Since 4 ka ago degradation rates have been only 1.2 m ka⁻¹, comparable to uplift rates in the piedmont reach inferred from marine-terrace studies, and the river is again cutting a broad strath. Each broad strath represents equilibrium conditions attained by this powerful stream during interglacial times despite episodes of being overwhelmed by climatically induced sediment-yield increases during full-glacial climates and having to maintain a long-term degradation rate equal to the uplift rate.The 75–81 m of degradation since formation of the latest Pleistocene fill-terrace tread is the sum of the amount of late Pleistocene valley-floor aggradation and the amount of regional uplift that occurred between the estimated times of major strath formation at about 30 and 0 ka. The 39 m of tectonically induced degradation below the pre-aggradation strath is sufficiently large that post-30 ka uplift may have doubled Holocene degradation rates.Each of the eleven degradation terraces represents pauses of a few centuries in Holocene downcutting. Brief equilibrium conditions were attained by streambed armoring and concurrent growth of riparian plants; both processes progressively increased hydraulic roughness and the shear stresses needed to entrain streambed materials. Occasional floods, possibly from rare cyclones derived from tropical moisture sources, destroyed streambed armor and channel downcutting was renewed. Thus the formation of eleven equilibrium terraces can be accounted for without postulating additional tectonic perturbations or secular climatic changes.     

The property, age and formation environment of the palaeokarst in Qinghai-Xizang Plateau

The karst landforms distributed on the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) Plateau can be genetically classed with the Tertiary underground karst, which were gradually exhumed to the surface with the uplift of the plateau during Quaternary period. The relative deposits of the Tertiary palaeokarst processes, such as the residuum and speleothem, were discovered recently in the southern and southeastern fringe areas of the plateau, where has geological-currently been disintegrated by the headward erosion processes of the modern river systems. The major chemical components of the clay portion of the residuum consist mainly of SiO₂, A1₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃. The clay minerals composition of the clay portion belongs to illite-kaolinite pattern for most of the residuum samples, and kaoliniteillite pattern for a few of the samples. It can be judged from the silicic acid index and the clay minerals composition that the formation of the residuum of the Plateau was in its initial phase. However, such a lower chemical weathering index only reflected the weathering degree in the bottom or lower parts of the lateritic weathering crust. The relatively intensive chemical weathering processes of the surface layers of the lateritic weathering crust could be logically speculated. The surface feature textures of quartz grains in the residuum were formed mainly by the chemical erosion, which revealed a long-term humid-tropical environment when the residuum and the palaeokarst formed.     

Weathering of superficial limestone debris in a hot desert environment

Weathering of superficial limestone debris is described from stone pavements on the Hamada de Meski in southeast Morocco. The dominant features are due to surface and subsurface solution. Mechanical weathering and aeolian action have only a limited effect. Microfeatures produced by solution include solution facetting, microrills, solution pits, case-hardening, micropitting or “vesicular weathering” and possibly surface crazing. Such microforms are the most likely representatives of a truly arid Karst.     

Archaeological sites distribution and its physical environmental settings between ca 260-2.2 ka BP in Guizhou,Southwest China

This study presents an analysis of the spatial-temporal distribution of 230 archaeological sites in Guizhou Province, Southwest China for three selected time periods from the Paleolithic Age to the Shang-Zhou Dynasties. The relationship between archaeological sites distribution and environmental changes is also discussed based on paleo-environmental proxies of δ18O and δ13C recorded in stalagmites from Southwest China. The results show that: in the Paleolithic Age (260-10 ka BP), archaeological sites were concentrated in the central, northwestern and southwestern parts of Guizhou, where the high-altitudinal karst landforms with many natural caves suitable for human habitation are developed. In the Neolithic Age (10-3.6 ka BP), most of human settlements were concentrated in the central, northwestern and southwestern parts, while, a fewer sites were found on river terraces in the southern and eastern parts, and the intermontane basins in the central and western Guizhou. During the Shang-Zhou Dynasties (3.6-2.2 ka BP), the sites were mainly distributed in the intermontane basins and on river terraces, which were suitable for primitive aerial farming. The analysis of paleo-environmental proxies of δ18O and δ13C since 260 ka BP suggested that climate fluctuations had little impact on human settlements in this study area. The distinct physical environment, especially the spatial patterns of karst landforms and arable land played an important role in the archaeological sites distribution of Guizhou.     

The property, age and formation environment of the palaeokarst in Qinghai-Xizang Plateau

The karst landforms distributed on the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) Plateau can be genetically classed with the Tertiary underground karst, which were gradually exhumed to the surface with the uplift of the plateau during Quaternary period. The relative deposits of the Tertiary palaeokarst processes, such as the residuum and speleothem, were discovered recently in the southern and southeastern fringe areas of the plateau, where has geological-currently been disintegrated by the headward erosion processes of the modern river systems. The major chemical components of the clay portion of the residuum consist mainly of SiO2C, Al2CO3 and Fe2O3. The clay minerals composition of the clay portion belongs to illite-kaolinite pattern for most of the residuum samples, and kaolinite-illite pattern for a few of the samples. It can be judged from the silicic acid index and the clay minerals composition that the formation of the residuum of the Plateau was in its initial phase. However, such a lower chemical weathering index only reflected the weathering degree in the bottom or lower parts of the lateritic weathering crust. The relatively intensive chemical weathering processes of the surface layers of the lateritic weathering crust could be logically speculated. The surface feature textures of quartz grains in the residuum were formed mainly by the chemical erosion, which revealed a long-term humid-tropical environment when the residuum and the palaeokarst formed.