Abstract

This research aims to give insight into factors contributing to seasonal variation of karst cave drip water hydrochemistry relative to surface condition. The study area is a small show cave, Diamond Caverns, located just outside the boundary of Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky. Various water chemistry parameters, such as chloride, pH, and temperature were monitored. A YSI EXO2 was deployed to measure the aforementioned parameters at one-hour intervals in a drip water pool starting in November 2023. To discern significant changes in solute concentrations, daily averages were calculated based on the hourly data. Daily averages were then compared to outside air temperature and rainfall depths. The drip water pool has a slow yet constant drip of water feeding into it, and the water flow rate is observed to increase with any recent rain events. All three parameters showed changes in concentrations after rainfall events. Drip water pH approaches 8.3 equilibrium conditions dictated by calcite solubility. A drop in pH occurs in response to low pH levels of rain water. Similarly, both temperature and chloride tend to increase in response to rain events. Continued monitoring of the drip water chemistry into the following season will help ascertain the patterns.

Semester/Year of Award

Spring 2024

Mentor

Estifanos Haile

Mentor Department Affiliation

Geosciences

Access Options

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Honors Scholars

Degree Level

Bachelors

Department

Physics, Geosciences, and Astronomy

Download

Share

COinS