- Email: [email protected]
Speleogenesis: Evolution of Karst Aquifers
Journal of Hydrology 240 (2000) 145±146
www.elsevier.com/locate/jhydrol
Book Review Speleogenesis: Evolution of Karst Aquifers The National Speleological Society, Inc., Huntsville, AL, 2000, hardbound, ISBN 1-879961-09-1, US$64.00 In January 2000, the National Speleological Society published Speleogenesis: Evolution of Karst Aquifers. As mentioned in the preface, ªthis book presents a pioneer attempt by an international group of cave scientists to summarize modern knowledge about the cave origins in various settings, to examine the variety of approaches that have been adopted, and to outline the role of speleogenesis in the evolution of karst aquifersº. Speleogenesis or cave formation occurs from the dissolution of carbonate bedrock by karst groundwater ¯ow. The book contains over 500 pages and is divided into ten parts with the ®rst eight parts containing 44 papers from various authors from 15 nations. Each paper is referred to as a chapter within each part. A summary is proved at the beginning of each part with a list of references at the end. Over 80 photographs are included throughout this book and the majority of them show examples of dissolutional features above and below ground, especially high quality photographs of caves. Over 20 cross-sections were used to help the reader visualize the various karst environments along with many associated charts and diagrams. A master list of over 1000 references from all chapters and an index is provided at the end of the book. Part 1 includes an overview of the entire book. Part 2, ªHistorical Perspectivesº, provides views on cave formation prior to 1900, the development of speleogenetic ideas in the early part of the 20th Century, and ideas presented between 1957 to the present. Part 3, ªGeologic and Hydrogeologic Controls of Speleogenetic Developmentº, I consider to be the most interesting part of the book for it provides an overview of the hydrogeologic and geologic processes
involved for the formation of karst landscapes and cave development. Three phases of carbonate diagenesis are presented in detail. Eogensis is de®ned as the time when sediments are ®rst laid down in the shallow marine environment. Mesogenesis is when the sediment is buried and undergoes compaction and ulteration beneath later rocks. Telegenesis is described as when the removal of cover rocks permits rainwater to in®ltrate the sediments. The various types of karst settings are provided to familiarize the reader with the evolution of the karst environment. This is a very important topic to include because non-karst specialists think that all karst areas are the same. The types of karst settings de®ned include: sygenetic karst, deep-seated karst, subjacent karst, entrenched karst, open karst, denuded karst, mantled karst, buried karst, exhumed karst, and paleokarst. Additionally, the roles that rock type, rock purity, porosity, and bedrock structure have on cave development are discussed. A whole chapter in Part 3 is devoted to the Inception Horizion Model. Generally, inception is de®ned as the earliest phase of cave development. However, it is questioned as to whether inception occurs as a part of diagenesis or is a separate process. Discussions are presented as to how groundwater recharge type, stratigraphy, and structure control cave patterns. The ®nal chapter in Part 3 provides a discussion on the formation of the epikarst, its hydrology, and morphologic characteristics. Part 4 covers Theoretical Fundamentals of Speleogenetic Processes. The ®rst eight chapters in Part 4 describe the chemistry of speleogenetic processes. Relevant topics of interest include the chemical reactions occurring between carbonate rocks and groundwater, the dissolution of quartz and silicate minerals, salt, gypsum and anhydrite. Additional discussions are provided on calcite dissolution by sulfuric acid, dissolution of carbonates by geothermal waters, and dissolution of limestone as
0022-1694/00/$ - see front matter q 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. PII: S 0022-169 4(00)00341-3
146
D.M. Bednar, Jr / Journal of Hydrology 240 (2000) 145±146
seen from ®eld observations. The second section of Part 4 is called Modeling of Initiation and Propagation of Single Conduits and Networks. These chapters introduce numerical models concerning the evolution of karst aquifers. Part 5, Development of Cavities and Cave Systems in Different Settings, is the longest part of the book and provides chapters on representative case studies of the three most recognized speleogenetic settings we know: coastal and oceanic, deep-seated and con®ned, and uncon®ned. Several case studies for all settings are provided. Meso- and Micromorphology of Caves is the title of Part 6. Cave passage morphology or Mesoforms are identi®ed and the geologic factors that in¯uence them. Microforms, smaller scale features that form on cave roofs and walls, are also discussed. The ®nal chapter describes the mechanical failures that occur throughout the speleogenetic processes that result in collapse of cave roofs. Part 7 is called Speleogenesis in Non-Carbonate Lithologies. This part contains chapters that cover karst development in non-carbonate rocks that include gypsum, salt, and quartzite. Part 8, Some Implications of Spelogenetic Studies, provides theoretical and applied aspects of speleogenetic studies. Three major points are brought forth in these chapters: (1) in uncon®ned carbonate strata, enhancement of porosity by dissolution is minor in developing the channel network within the karst aquifer while enhancement of permeability is greater; (2) speleogenesis is considered to have played a major role in the migration and storage of hydrocarbons; and (3) karst is considered to be a three dimensional landscape where the surface and subsurface are integrally and intimately connected. Poor land use practices in areas of conduit ¯ow will more than likely result in reduced groundwater quality. I noticed three shortcomings in this book. First, Part 4 is heavily inundated with mathematics. Except for those that highly enjoy physics and mathematics, this part would more than likely provide little value to the reader interested in cave formation in general.
Second, only one chapter in the book, the last chapter, provided a discussion on how karst aquifers are vulnerable to pollution. Surely, more emphasis could have been provided throughout the book concerning methods to protect karst aquifers. Furthermore, although dye tracing tests were mentioned throughout the book as an aid to de®ne drainage boundaries and ¯ow through times to springs, minimal attention was given concerning the use of dye tracing as an effect tool to de®ne spring recharge areas that are often necessary to protection high water quality springs and their uses. Additional case studies on methods used to protection karst aquifers and any cave species found within would have been bene®cial to the book. Third, a chapter on cave formation in folded versus ¯at-lying strata should have been included toward the understanding of karst groundwater ¯ow under different structural settings. Overall, Speleogensis is a very comprehensive book about the evolution of karst aquifers and cave formation. I consider this book to be a valuable addition to your personal library for the following reasons: ² Most of the text is written in a non-mathematical format so it is quite reader friendly. ² Inclusion of many high quality cave photographs show the variation in cave geometry and further demonstrates how rock structure plays a role in the formation of cave passageways. ² The book provides the reader with explanations of the various karst settings encountered and that all karst areas display an individual character. Available at Internet site: http://www.caves.org; email adddress: [email protected]. D.M. Bednar, Jr. Michael Baker Jr. Inc., Petroleum Square II, 1324 North Hearne Avenue, Suite 255, Shreveport, LA 71107, USA E-mail address: [email protected] 21 September 2000
www.elsevier.com/locate/jhydrol
Book Review Speleogenesis: Evolution of Karst Aquifers The National Speleological Society, Inc., Huntsville, AL, 2000, hardbound, ISBN 1-879961-09-1, US$64.00 In January 2000, the National Speleological Society published Speleogenesis: Evolution of Karst Aquifers. As mentioned in the preface, ªthis book presents a pioneer attempt by an international group of cave scientists to summarize modern knowledge about the cave origins in various settings, to examine the variety of approaches that have been adopted, and to outline the role of speleogenesis in the evolution of karst aquifersº. Speleogenesis or cave formation occurs from the dissolution of carbonate bedrock by karst groundwater ¯ow. The book contains over 500 pages and is divided into ten parts with the ®rst eight parts containing 44 papers from various authors from 15 nations. Each paper is referred to as a chapter within each part. A summary is proved at the beginning of each part with a list of references at the end. Over 80 photographs are included throughout this book and the majority of them show examples of dissolutional features above and below ground, especially high quality photographs of caves. Over 20 cross-sections were used to help the reader visualize the various karst environments along with many associated charts and diagrams. A master list of over 1000 references from all chapters and an index is provided at the end of the book. Part 1 includes an overview of the entire book. Part 2, ªHistorical Perspectivesº, provides views on cave formation prior to 1900, the development of speleogenetic ideas in the early part of the 20th Century, and ideas presented between 1957 to the present. Part 3, ªGeologic and Hydrogeologic Controls of Speleogenetic Developmentº, I consider to be the most interesting part of the book for it provides an overview of the hydrogeologic and geologic processes
involved for the formation of karst landscapes and cave development. Three phases of carbonate diagenesis are presented in detail. Eogensis is de®ned as the time when sediments are ®rst laid down in the shallow marine environment. Mesogenesis is when the sediment is buried and undergoes compaction and ulteration beneath later rocks. Telegenesis is described as when the removal of cover rocks permits rainwater to in®ltrate the sediments. The various types of karst settings are provided to familiarize the reader with the evolution of the karst environment. This is a very important topic to include because non-karst specialists think that all karst areas are the same. The types of karst settings de®ned include: sygenetic karst, deep-seated karst, subjacent karst, entrenched karst, open karst, denuded karst, mantled karst, buried karst, exhumed karst, and paleokarst. Additionally, the roles that rock type, rock purity, porosity, and bedrock structure have on cave development are discussed. A whole chapter in Part 3 is devoted to the Inception Horizion Model. Generally, inception is de®ned as the earliest phase of cave development. However, it is questioned as to whether inception occurs as a part of diagenesis or is a separate process. Discussions are presented as to how groundwater recharge type, stratigraphy, and structure control cave patterns. The ®nal chapter in Part 3 provides a discussion on the formation of the epikarst, its hydrology, and morphologic characteristics. Part 4 covers Theoretical Fundamentals of Speleogenetic Processes. The ®rst eight chapters in Part 4 describe the chemistry of speleogenetic processes. Relevant topics of interest include the chemical reactions occurring between carbonate rocks and groundwater, the dissolution of quartz and silicate minerals, salt, gypsum and anhydrite. Additional discussions are provided on calcite dissolution by sulfuric acid, dissolution of carbonates by geothermal waters, and dissolution of limestone as
0022-1694/00/$ - see front matter q 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. PII: S 0022-169 4(00)00341-3
146
D.M. Bednar, Jr / Journal of Hydrology 240 (2000) 145±146
seen from ®eld observations. The second section of Part 4 is called Modeling of Initiation and Propagation of Single Conduits and Networks. These chapters introduce numerical models concerning the evolution of karst aquifers. Part 5, Development of Cavities and Cave Systems in Different Settings, is the longest part of the book and provides chapters on representative case studies of the three most recognized speleogenetic settings we know: coastal and oceanic, deep-seated and con®ned, and uncon®ned. Several case studies for all settings are provided. Meso- and Micromorphology of Caves is the title of Part 6. Cave passage morphology or Mesoforms are identi®ed and the geologic factors that in¯uence them. Microforms, smaller scale features that form on cave roofs and walls, are also discussed. The ®nal chapter describes the mechanical failures that occur throughout the speleogenetic processes that result in collapse of cave roofs. Part 7 is called Speleogenesis in Non-Carbonate Lithologies. This part contains chapters that cover karst development in non-carbonate rocks that include gypsum, salt, and quartzite. Part 8, Some Implications of Spelogenetic Studies, provides theoretical and applied aspects of speleogenetic studies. Three major points are brought forth in these chapters: (1) in uncon®ned carbonate strata, enhancement of porosity by dissolution is minor in developing the channel network within the karst aquifer while enhancement of permeability is greater; (2) speleogenesis is considered to have played a major role in the migration and storage of hydrocarbons; and (3) karst is considered to be a three dimensional landscape where the surface and subsurface are integrally and intimately connected. Poor land use practices in areas of conduit ¯ow will more than likely result in reduced groundwater quality. I noticed three shortcomings in this book. First, Part 4 is heavily inundated with mathematics. Except for those that highly enjoy physics and mathematics, this part would more than likely provide little value to the reader interested in cave formation in general.
Second, only one chapter in the book, the last chapter, provided a discussion on how karst aquifers are vulnerable to pollution. Surely, more emphasis could have been provided throughout the book concerning methods to protect karst aquifers. Furthermore, although dye tracing tests were mentioned throughout the book as an aid to de®ne drainage boundaries and ¯ow through times to springs, minimal attention was given concerning the use of dye tracing as an effect tool to de®ne spring recharge areas that are often necessary to protection high water quality springs and their uses. Additional case studies on methods used to protection karst aquifers and any cave species found within would have been bene®cial to the book. Third, a chapter on cave formation in folded versus ¯at-lying strata should have been included toward the understanding of karst groundwater ¯ow under different structural settings. Overall, Speleogensis is a very comprehensive book about the evolution of karst aquifers and cave formation. I consider this book to be a valuable addition to your personal library for the following reasons: ² Most of the text is written in a non-mathematical format so it is quite reader friendly. ² Inclusion of many high quality cave photographs show the variation in cave geometry and further demonstrates how rock structure plays a role in the formation of cave passageways. ² The book provides the reader with explanations of the various karst settings encountered and that all karst areas display an individual character. Available at Internet site: http://www.caves.org; email adddress: [email protected]. D.M. Bednar, Jr. Michael Baker Jr. Inc., Petroleum Square II, 1324 North Hearne Avenue, Suite 255, Shreveport, LA 71107, USA E-mail address: [email protected] 21 September 2000