Hydrochemistry and solution rates in gypsum karst: case study from the Western Ukraine

The gypsum karst in the Western Ukraine spreads through a large territory covering more than 20,000 km² and is represented by a range of stages (evolutionary types), from deep-seated through subjacent to entrenched. Correspondingly, hydrogeological settings of karst development, circulation patterns and chemical characteristics of groundwaters differ substantially between the respective areas. Based on 1,800 analyses, this paper summarises hydrochemistry of the gypsum-hosting Miocene aquifer. The majority of sampling has been performed in conjunction with a study regime of gypsum solution rates by means of standard tablets. In this study, which included 53 tablet stations representing varying conditions of water-rock interaction, 644 weight-loss measurements were made over the period 1984–1992. The highest rates are characteristic of entrenched karst although active dissolution is localised along well-defined sinking streams with short underground courses, rare vertical percolation paths and the water table. Lower but still quite substantial rates are characteristic of subjacent and deep-seated (confined) karst. However, the overall dissolution removal is greater due to higher flow through the gypsum and the larger area of rock-solvent contact. The results are generalised in order to derive the approximate solution rates characterising major situations and to be suitable for modeling purposes.     

Relationships between karst and tectonics: case-study of the cave system north of Lake Thun (Bern,Switzerland)

Abstract

The cave system is situated north of Lake Thun, in the Helvetic border chain. The overall geology is simple: the slightly dipping (15–25° towards the southeast) strata are interrupted by a NE-SW trending normal fault with a throw of 150 m in the NE and about 500 m in the SW. Since a part of the region is covered by flysch, the caves are the only way to observe the geological setting of the underlying Cretaceous and Eocene series. We show that observations in caves may yield valuable information about the onset of the tectonic movements: in particular, observations in the Barenkluft region clearly demonstrate that the beginning of préalpine extension had already begun in the Upper Cretaceous, and that this normal fault has been inverted later during Alpine compression. We also illustrate the influence of tectonic stress and strain upon karstification. The Alpine tectonic phases, with alternating compression and extension, contributed to the development of different karstogenetic levels. Tectonic strains opened and possibly closed some fractures, allowing (or preventing) water to flow through parts of the karst massive. The structural setting, defining the overall geometry of the limestone bed, played an important role in the development of the various phases of the system. Most of the conduits appear to belong to old, deep phreatic systems. Tectonics is only one of a number of factors controlling karstification. Together with lithology, it represents the geological control. Geomorphological factors (mainly spring and catchment positions, but also erosion of the flysch cover), as well as bioclimatical factors (quantity and physico-chemical characteristics of water), and hydrodynamics and transport processes can play a significant role on the genesis of karst systems. © 1999 Éditions scientifiques et médicales Elsevier SAS     

秸秆还田对岩溶区与非岩溶区土壤酶活性影响的对比研究

通过室内模拟试验,研究了岩溶区棕色石灰土与非岩溶区红壤对玉米秸秆有机物料降解过程中土壤pH值、秸秆降解率和酶活性的变化特征.结果表明:秸秆降解期间,土壤pH值在前期有下降的趋势,后期慢慢回升;秸秆降解速度最快主要集中在降解的最初30 d,之后呈缓慢上升趋势,到98d基本达到平衡,降解速度大大减慢;过氧化氢酶的变化不明显,土壤蔗糖酶、脲酶、纤维素酶和蛋白酶活性都在不同程度上呈现"前期上升,中期下降,后期上升" 的变化趋势.因素比较结果表明:除蛋白酶的活性是非岩溶区的大于岩溶区外,其它的基本上都是岩溶区的大于非岩溶区;从降解率来看也是岩溶区的要稍高于非岩溶区.由此认为,秸秆在岩溶区土壤中的降解作用比非岩溶区更强.     

Establishing rates of karst landscape evolution in the Tropics: a context for the formation of archaeological sites in western Flores,Indonesia

Tropical landscapes evolve at a rapid rate, creating stepped alluvial terraces, dense basin and cone topographies and multilevel cave systems. An understanding of the rate of landscape evolution is crucial for understanding how landscapes respond to tectonic instability and for reconstructing landscapes that have changed over archaeological timescales. The rate of landscape incision as a proxy for karst landscape evolution in Indonesia, a key region in the path of human dispersal, has been established using the rate of karstification – by estimating a chronology for stages of cave development using thermal ionisation mass spectrometry U‐series dating on flowstones, and the rate of downcutting – by establishing a chronology for a series of alluvial terraces using red thermoluminescence dating. Using these techniques we have determined that the estimated rate of karstification (113 ± 26 mm ka^?1) is slower than the average rate of downcutting (305 ± 24 mm ka^?1), and the combined rate of landscape incision (217 ± 18 mm ka^?1) is slower than the known rate of tectonic uplift for this region derived from raised coral terraces (450 ± 50 mm ka^?1). This suggests that rivers are quicker to respond to tectonic instability, but both cave and river systems display a slower rate of incision and karstification than uplift. Correlations between these components of the landscape system reveal a strong, interacting relationship where defined phases of uplift are reflected in the pattern of karstification and cycles of downcutting. An understanding of this relationship has been pivotal in reconstructing the formation and geomorphic history of archaeological caves such as Liang Bua. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evolution of karst in Messinian gypsum (Monferrato,Northern Italy)

In the Tertiary Basin of Piedmont (Northern Italy) a 100-150 m thick Messinian sedimentary succession crops out, composed of pre-evaporitic clays, gypsum beds and post-evaporitic lacustrine-marine fine-grained sediments. In the Monferrato area the thickness of the evaporite sequence is highly variable (0-140 m) due to an important erosion surface formed at the end of the evaporite cycle and carved in the gypsum beds. Epigenic caves probably formed during this short intra-Messinian phase of emersion. Cave sediments contain benthonic and planctonic foraminiferal associations ranging in age from Burdigalian to Upper Pliocene. These sediments have probably been deposited in recent times, although it cannot be completely ruled out that they accumulated in caves developed in Upper Messinian times. The formation of the most important caves of this area probably started at the end of the Messinian under epigenic conditions. Possibly, those inherited caves enlarged slowly during the Quaternary in an intrastratal and confined hypogene karst system.     

玉林市岩溶塌陷地理信息系统

GIS技术的发展为地质灾害的资料管理、危险性评价及对策研究等提供了有力的支持工具。玉林市岩溶塌陷地理信息系统是以GIS软件—MapInfo为平台，针对岩溶塌陷的特点，用VB语言进行二次开发的集数据管理、分析统计、输出为一体的综合系统。系统中录入了建国以来，玉林市发生的71次岩溶塌陷灾害事件，共414个塌陷坑的详细资料，及30多个与岩溶塌陷有关的其它专题信息。分别归类为岩溶塌陷信息、市政信息、勘探信息、水文气象信息、玉(林)柴(油厂)塌陷子系统等。此外，系统提供了信息查询、制作专题图、统计分析等功能，方便、快捷地为地质灾害管理、城市规划、勘察设计等部门提供服务。     

Impact of quarrying gypsum in a semidesert karstic area (Sorbas,SE Spain)

The Messinian gypsum of Sorbas is intensively karstified, with hundreds of dolines and numerous, highly unusual exo- and endokarstic forms. Amongst these the tumuli are especially spectacular, as are the large caverns, adorned with numerous speleothems, some of which have not been described anywhere else in the World. The extraction of the gypsum has impacted practically all the elements of the environment (landscape, water, soil, subsoil, flora, fauna, etc.) and, in particular, all of the karstic forms. In addition to endangering the caves and the natural treasures that they contain, it affects the surface waters, markedly modifying the hydrographic network. Groundwaters, which now occur in the bottom of a quarry, are also affected.     

Capacity development as a key factor for integrated water resources management (IWRM): improving water management in the Western Bug River Basin,Ukraine

There is growing consensus in the global water community that the concept of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is only the starting point in the IWRM implementation process. This paper proposes that special attention should be drawn to well-elaborated and adapted Capacity Development (CD). It is argued that measures for solving existing water problems can only be sustainable and effective, if the knowledge generated about possible solutions is deeply rooted within the originating region. General guidelines for CD and knowledge transfer are elaborated, and these constitute the basis for region-specific CD strategies as exemplified in the Ukrainian Western Bug River Basin, one of five model regions within the International Water Research Alliance Saxony (IWAS). As a first step towards improving river basin management, situation analysis and capacity assessment are undertaken to evaluate social and political circumstances, identify relevant stakeholders, existing competencies, and antici- pated difficulties in establishing an operational IWRM and appropriate tailor-made measures are proposed. The experiences gained during this process indicate that neither IWRM nor CD can be expected to stand alone when considering sustainable development in water resources management.     

Research on soil multi-media environmental pollution around a Pb-Zn mining and smelting plant in the karst area of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,Southwest China

The method of principal component analysis was applied to systematical research on the soil multi-media environment, including soil, surface water, ground water, waterbody sediment and agricultural crops, as well as pollution-inducing wastewater, mullock (or waste ore) and slag in the periphery of a large-sized Pb-Zn mining and smelting plant in a karst area of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The results revealed that soils in the area studied have been heavily polluted by Cd, Zn, Pb and Hg, and the levels of these metals in the samples of agricultural crop greatly exceed the standards. The above-mentioned pollutants exist in all soil-multi-media environments. The mullock, slag, wastewater, surface water, ground water, soil, and agricultural crops constitute a composite ecological chain. Therefore, the improper disposal of mullock and slag, and the use of polluted wastewater for agricultural irrigation are the main causes of soil pollution. Heavy metals in the soil have three transition progresses: point (improved soil with slag, ground water inflow plot), linear (river transition) and non-point transition (regional pollution by slag) patterns, and the tailing yard is the most important locus for heavy metals to release into the environment.     

WEPP模型(坡面版)在贵州石漠化地区土壤侵蚀模拟的适用性评价

文章以贵州花江喀斯特石漠化地区为研究区域,利用WEPP模型(坡面版)分别模拟2006年、2010年土壤侵蚀模数,并将实测数据与WEPP模型模拟值作比较,探讨WEPP软件在喀斯特石漠化地区的适用性。研究表明：WEPP模型对于模拟喀斯特石漠化地区土壤侵蚀有较大误差,对土壤侵蚀模数模拟的有效性系数均为负值,不适用于直接计算该区域土壤侵蚀模数。WEPP模型对微度侵蚀模拟精度不够,但能大体反映不同径流小区之间土壤侵蚀强弱的关系和生态修复过程土壤侵蚀的变化趋势。若要应用WEPP模型对喀斯特地区土壤侵蚀模数模拟计算,必须考虑水土的地下漏失、地表裸岩率、地形高度破碎等环境条件。裸岩率、土壤漏失、地形条件等都是WEPP模型修正所必须注意的内容。     

Spatial distribution, morphometry and activity of La Puebla de Alfindén sinkhole field in the Ebro river valley (NE Spain): applied aspects for hazard zonation

A highly active collapse sinkhole field in the evaporitic mantled karst of the Ebro river valley is studied (NE Spain). The subsidence is controlled by a NW-SE trending joint system and accelerated by the discharge of waste water from a nearby industrial state. The morphometry, spatial distribution and temporal evolution of the sinkholes have been analysed. The volume of the sinkholes yields a minimum estimate of average lowering of the surface by collapse subsidence of 46 cm. The clustering of the sinkholes and the tendency to form elongated uvalas and linear belts, in a NW–SE direction have a predictive utility and allow the establishment of criteria for a hazard zonation. With the precipitation record supplied by a pluviograph and periodic cartographic and photographic surveys the influence of heavy rainfall events on the triggering of collapses has been studied.     

Engelmann Spruce (Picea engelmannii) as a biological monitor of changes in soil metal loading related to past mining activity

Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii) is the dominant tree species in many abandoned mine areas of the Rocky Mountains. It is long-lived, and therefore, may act as a long term biological monitor of changes in soil chemistry caused by past mining activity. In this study, laser ablation inductively coupled mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS) was used to analyze individual tree rings of Engelmann spruce for Fe, Zn, Cu, Cd, Mn, Pb and Sr concentrations. Cores were obtained from trees growing in tailings-impacted and control (non-tailings impacted) sites near the Waldorf mine (Waldorf, CO, USA). Zinc, Cu, Fe, Cd, Pb and Sr concentrations remained low and consistent over time in the control tree rings. However, in the tailings impacted cores, concentrations of Zn, Cu, Fe and Cd increase significantly in post-mining rings. In addition, Zn, Cu, Fe, and Cd concentrations in pre-mining rings of both the control and tailings impacted cores are similar, indicating that present day soil concentrations of these elements in the control area are a reasonable estimation of background for this area. Lead and Sr concentrations in control and tailings-impacted rings remained similar and relatively constant through time and are not useful in determining changes in soil chemistry due to past mining activity.     

Geomorphological,pedological, and hydrological characteristics of karst lakes at Conversano (Apulia,southern Italy) as a basis for environmental protection

The land around Conversano (Apulia, southern Italy) is part of the Murge karst, interesting limestones and dolomitic limestones of Upper Cretaceous age, in a flat environment with sub-horizontal setting. Dolines and karst depressions are the most typical landforms in the area. Filling of these landforms with eluvial deposits locally created the possibility of water stagnancy at the surface. The Conversano territory presents ten karst lakes that represented, until some decades ago, the only water resource available for the local people, who built the typical bell-shaped wells to collect water volumes satisfying local needs during the dry season. Currently, these lakes have no great importance as water supplies, but represent habitats of great naturalistic value that are still able to support the ecological functionality and the wet environments with self-vegetation. Hydrological and hydrogeological studies have been carried out with the aim to fully estimate the related environmental problems. For this purpose, the hydrogeologic data of historical time series have been collected and compared to those of the last 5 years; successively, according to the Thornthwaite method, a hydrological monthly balance has been evaluated to quantify the distribution of water volumes interacting annually between the surface water bodies and the underlying carbonate groundwater. This evaluation has highlighted the need to carefully consider all the parameters concurring to a right definition of water balance for a karst environment, where pedological features, climatic conditions and anthropogenic modifications to the environment represent the elements of a very delicate system. Particularly, on the basis of recent soil map and field surveys, a re-evaluation of the available water capacity, estimated in some 40 mm, has been carried out. The studies have highlighted the need to extend the environmental protection rules to larger areas around the lakes, e.g. at the catchment scale, with definition of buffer zones; in this manner, it will be possible to constantly monitor the protected land and the local anthropogenic activities, that represent real polluting sources for both the surface water resources and the underlying carbonate groundwaters.     

GM(1,1)分解模型与ARIMA模型在岩溶地下水模拟中的对比研究——以柳林泉流量模拟为例

本文运用GM(1,1)分解模型和ARIMA模型分别模拟柳林泉流量。根据影响特征将泉水流量变化分为两个时段研究:1957—1973年泉水流量处于自然状态;1974—2009年泉水流量受气候变化和人类活动双重影响。运用第1时段的数据建模获得自然状态下泉水流量的模型,将模型外推,获得第2阶段自然状态下泉水流量,然后根据水量平衡原理,减去同期实测流量,获得人类活动对泉水流量衰减的贡献。GM(1,1)分解模型的结果显示,从20世纪70年代到21世纪初柳林泉衰减量为2.26m3/s;ARIMA模型的结果为2.32m3/s;与同期实际衰减量2.27m3/s比,相对误差分别为0.44%和2.20%,表明两种模型都适用于泉水流量的模拟。对比人类活动和气候变化对柳林泉流量衰减的贡献,两个模型得到同样结果,即人类活动的贡献是气候变化的8～9倍。实证研究显示,GM(1,1)模型适用于指数序列的模拟,对具有周期波动的泉水流量,可通过周期修正提高精度;而ARIMA模型能够较好地反映泉水流量相对于降水量的时间滞后效应,能比较准确地模拟泉水流量与降水量的量化关系。      

High-altitude varve records of abrupt environmental changes and mining activity over the last 4000 years in the Western French Alps (Lake Bramant,Grandes Rousses Massif)

Two twin short gravity cores and a long piston core recovered from the deepest part of proglacial Lake Bramant (Grandes Rousses Massif, French Alps), under and overlying a large slump identified by high-resolution seismic profile, allow the investigation of Holocene natural hazards and interactions between human activity and climatic changes at high-altitude. Annual sedimentation throughout the cores (glacial varves) is identified on photographs, ITRAX (high-resolution continuous microfluorescence-X) and CAT-Scan (computerized axial tomography) analyses and is supported by (1) the number of dark and light laminations between dates obtained by radionuclide measurements (¹³⁷Cs, ²⁴¹Am), (2) the correlation of a slump triggered by the nearby AD 1881 Allemond earthquake (MSK intensity VII) and of a turbidite triggered by the AD 1822 Chautagne regional earthquake (MSK intensity VIII), (3) the number of laminations between two accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) ¹⁴C dates, and (4) archaeological data. In Lake Bramant, dark layers are coarser, contain less detrital elements, but more neoformed elements and organic matter content. These darker laminations result from calm background sedimentation, whereas the lighter layers are finer and rich in detrital elements and reflect the summer snowmelt. Traces of mining activity during the Roman civilization apogee (AD 115–330) and during the Early Bronze Age (3770–3870 cal BP) are recorded by lead and copper content in the sediments and probably result from regional and local mining activity in the NW Alps. Warmer climate during the Bronze Age in this part of the Alps is suggested by (1) two organic deposits (4160–3600 cal BP and 3300–2850 cal BP) likely reflecting a lower lake level and smaller glaciers and (2) evidence of a different vegetation cover around 2500 m a.s.l. The onset of clastic proglacial sedimentation between 3600–3300 cal BP and since 2850 cal BP is synchronous with periods of glacier advances documented in the Alps and high-lake levels in west-central Europe. This major change in proglacial sedimentation highlights the development of a larger St. Sorlin glacier in the catchment area of Lake Bramant.     

Chemical composition of landfill leachate in a karst area with a Mediterranean climate (Marbella, southern Spain)

 Between March 1994 and April 1997, the physical and chemical parameters and chemical composition of the urban solid waste leachate of the Marbella landfill (southern Spain) were determined. The data obtained show an ammonium and sodium chloride and bicarbonate type, a pH>7 and high mineralization, effectively described by the following parameters: Na⁺, K⁺, NH₄ ⁺, Cl^– and alkalinity. The chemical composition depends on the rainfall: in dry years, the mineralization and component concentrations have values as much as double those found in normal rainfall years. After storm events, a major and rapid dilution (within several hours) is seen in the leachate. Received: 28 January 1998 · Accepted: 2 June 1998     

Using dual-isotope data to trace the origin and processes of dissolved sulphate: a case study in Calders stream (Llobregat basin,Spain)

Whereas most of the reported δ³⁴S values of dissolved sulphate are positive in the Llobregat basin, Calders stream, which is a tributary of the Llobregat River, is characterised by negative values. Stream waters, sampled monthly between 1997 and 1998, and quarterly in 1999, show an overall increase in δ³⁴S from −10‰ to 0‰, coupled with an increase in Na and Cl concentration. On the other hand, the oxygen isotopic composition of dissolved sulphate, δ¹⁸O, displayed an opposite trend with a slight decrease, from +9‰ to +6‰. Detailed sampling up stream in November 2000 indicated that, contrary to most of the surficial waters of the Llobregat basin with a δ³⁴S_SO4 mainly controlled by evaporites, in Calders stream, sulphate is derived from pyrite oxidation. The dual-isotope approach, coupled with chemical data, allowed us to identify the contribution of ³⁴S-rich sulphate effluents from anthropogenic sources, while mixing models, calculated between natural and anthropogenic sources, enabled us to estimate their contribution. Sudden increases of δ³⁴S and δ¹⁸O of dissolved sulphate in stream waters are believed to be caused by a sulphate reduction process related to oil spillage. The long-term enrichment in δ³⁴S, coupled with a decrease in δ¹⁸O_SO4, from Jan-97 to Aug-99, is interpreted as a progressive increase in the contribution of pig manure.     

Fractal properties of multi-order folding as a tool for exploration of low-grade banded iron ores in the Krivoy Rog basin (Ukraine)

The low-grade Palaeoproterozoic stratabound banded iron ores of the Krivoy Rog basin (Ukraine) underwent strong tectonometamorphic deformation into superimposed folds of several orders, with amplitudes from centimetres to hundreds of metres. The across-strike sections of bed surfaces defining the low-grade ore bodies resemble self-similar fractal curves; hence, a fractal geometrical model was developed in order to quantify the complexity and sinuosity of bed contours. Two different methods of measurement (polygonal approximation and two-dimensional grid cell counting) were used for 5–8 different scales. Factual similarity dimension D and other model parameters have been estimated by means of linear regression and compared for both measurement methods. From the fractal model a sinuosity coefficient of contours of the folded bed surfaces K _s and a coefficient of degree of exploration of iron ore bodies K _e were constructed. It is pointed out that parameters of the model can be used for determination of the optimal exploration length scales.     

Flow dynamics and erosion rate of a representative karst basin (Upper Aniene River,Central Italy)

Experimental data refer to a preliminary estimate of suspended solid and solute load of a perennial river. The basin is composed almost entirely of bare mesozoic, highly fractured, karstified carbonate rocks of the central Apennine range. The suspended solid load related to stormflow events in 1991 corresponds to about 14,970 t yr^–1. For the same period the solute load is 60,060 t yr^–1 for a mean base flow discharge of 9.4 m³ s^–1. Based on the mean concentration of Ca + Mg in water, the value of dissolution of carbonate rocks of 37.1 m³ km^–2 (equivalent approximately to 0.04 mm yr^–1) was calculated. Physical and chemical variations that occur during storm events indicate the complex dynamic processes in the karst aquifer and the role undertaken by the epikarst as perched water reservoir and by the major conduits that develop through the vadose and saturated zones of the karst system.     

Investigation of a large collapse sinkhole affecting a multi-storey building by means of geophysics and the trenching technique (Zaragoza city,NE Spain)

An active sinkhole around 100 m long has been investigated in the city of Zaragoza (NE Spain). Subsidence activity on this depression, including the sudden occurrence of a collapse sinkhole 5 m across, led to the abandonment of a factory in the 1990s. At the present time, a building with 100 flats and shallow pad foundations partially built on the sinkhole, is affected by rapid differential settlement. The development of the sinkhole results from the karstification of the halite- and glauberite- bearing bedrock and the sagging and collapse of the overlying bedrock and alluvium, more than 30 m thick. GPR and electrical resistivity profiles have provided information on the distribution and geometry of the subsidence structure. The application of the trenching technique and geochronological methods (AMS and OSL dating) has allowed us to infer objective and practical data on the sinkhole including (1) Limits of the subsidence structure, (2) subsidence mechanisms, (3) cumulative subsidence (>408 cm), (4) subsidence rates on specific failure planes (>1.8 cm/year), (5) episodic displacement regime of some fault planes. The available information indicates that the progressive deformation recorded in the building will continue and might be punctuated by events of more rapid displacement. This work illustrates the practicality of the trenching technique for the study of sinkholes in mantled karst areas.