Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Romane Berthelin, Tunde Olarinoye, Michael Rinderer, Matias Mudarra, Dominic Demand, Mirjam Scheller, Andreas Hartmann
Summary: Understanding groundwater recharge processes is crucial for sustainable water resource management. Traditional experimental approaches often focus on analysing the response of the aquifer, while few investigate the actual recharge processes at the surface. This study developed a method based on soil moisture measurements to estimate karst groundwater recharge, which performed well in predicting recharge during rainfall events and simulating average annual recharge volume despite variations between years.
HYDROLOGY AND EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhi-Qiang Li, Yiguo Xue, Guangkun Li, Daohong Qiu, Lei Xu, Qiushi Liu, Kang Fu
Summary: This study proposes a method for determining the thickness of water-resistant rock mass, and verifies and discusses its accuracy and applicability through two engineering cases. The results show that the calculation results considering the probability parameters of rock mass are consistent with the actual reserved values. Finally, practical application suggestions are put forward to distinguish water inrush risk levels and effectively guide construction as part of safety management.
PROCESS SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
(2023)
Article
Water Resources
Peter Buzzacott, Grzegorz Skrzypek
Summary: The Nullarbor is one of the largest contiguous karst plains in the world, with subterranean flooded cave systems that are among the largest. Despite the absence of surface relict karst features, the cave waters are usually brackish and their temperatures vary over a large range, suggesting potential input of warm groundwater. The stable isotope results suggest cave water originates from partially evaporated modern precipitation events, and direct large ocean water contribution is unlikely despite the relatively high salinity of the cave water.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY-REGIONAL STUDIES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Zhenhao Xu, Peng Lin, Huilin Xing, Dongdong Pan, Xin Huang
Summary: This paper studies the mechanism of water inrush disasters caused by karst caves, and establishes geological and numerical models to simulate and study the response behaviors. The research results can be used to predict the position, size, and distance of karst caves in actual engineering projects.
ROCK MECHANICS AND ROCK ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Jun-Yun Li, Ting-Yong Li, Chuan-Chou Shen, Tsai-Luen Yu, Tao-Tao Zhang, Yao Wu, Jing-Li Zhou, Chao-Jun Chen, Jian Zhang
Summary: The geochemical compositions of cave drip water and speleothems are responsive to changes in local climate and hydrological conditions. The study in Furong Cave in Chongqing, southwest China, showed that Mg and Sr concentrations in soil water increased due to decreased winter and spring rainfall, while the Mg and Sr contents in drip water and speleothems were influenced by the overlying bedrock. Additionally, a trend of decreasing Mg contents and Mg/Sr ratios in drip water and active speleothems was observed with increasing annual rainfall. This study provides critical insights into the paleoclimate interpretation of speleothem proxies in caves.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Meng Lu, Xiao-Dan Wang, Fu-Jun Yue, Zi-Han Liu, Zhi-Yu Shi, Ping Zhang
Summary: Due to the excessive exploitation of traditional energy sources, the attention paid to water energy has increased. Utilizing reservoirs in karst areas often leads to water quality issues, particularly nitrate accumulation. The expansion of the Muzhu Reservoir in a karst area resulted in a change in hydro-chemistry type and a decrease in rock background components in the water, leading to nitrate accumulation. Monitoring nitrate accumulation in karst reservoirs is important for maintaining water quality.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Valentina Balestra, Bartolomeo Vigna, Sean De Costanzo, Rossana Bellopede
Summary: Microplastic pollution in karst systems is still poorly studied, but it is important for environmental protection. In this study, water samples from a karst area in Italy were collected and analyzed to understand microplastic pollution. The results showed the presence of microplastics in cave waters and provided valuable information for future research. It is necessary to monitor and protect karst aquifers to prevent contamination and damage to ecosystems and water resources.
JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Acoustics
Yunteng Chen, Yuancheng Cai, Jianwei Zhang, Jie Li, Xiaotong Huang, Hao Lei, Peilong Yuan
Summary: In this paper, a numerical simulation model for backfilling a large karst cave through a large cross-section tunnel was established using FEA software MIDAS. The distribution characteristics and change rules of the displacement field, stress field, horizontal support stress, and plastic zone of the tunnel surrounding rock and backfill were explored. The results showed that the tunnel excavation led to increased displacement of the surrounding rock and deterioration of the plastic zone, highlighting the need for strengthening and monitoring. The study also analyzed the site monitoring results and found good agreement between the numerical calculations and the actual data.
SHOCK AND VIBRATION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Julian Stolz, Heidi Elisabeth Megerle
Summary: Geotourism is a rapidly growing branch of tourism that features geoparks and geotrails. However, many trails fail to consider recent findings and do not attract interest or convey relevant information to a lay audience. A comprehensive study was conducted on the UNESCO Global Geopark Swabian Alb in Germany to develop criteria for evaluating existing geotrails. Recommendations for model geotrails were derived, highlighting the need for better incorporation of education for sustainable development, geo-interpretation criteria, and new technologies.
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Bo Wu, Wentao Sun, Ganwei Cai, Guowang Meng
Summary: This paper investigates the reliability performance of rock and soil mass surrounding a tunnel and a karst cave using the upper-bound theorem of limit analysis and reliability theory. Through the use of Matlab software programming and the Monte Carlo method, the instability probability and reliability index of the rock and soil mass are calculated. The study shows that under certain conditions, the self-supporting capacity and stability of the rock and soil mass can be significantly enhanced.
COMPUTERS AND GEOTECHNICS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Renkai Zhang, Ziqi Liu, Kangning Xiong, Xiaoxi Lyu, Chenpeng Hu, Xinwen Wang, Kun Cheng
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between drip hydrochemistry characteristics and dissolved organic matter (DOM) in cave systems, focusing on Daxiao Cave. The results showed that the hydrochemistry type of the drip water in Daxiao Cave was Ca-Mg-HCO3, with dominant ions being Ca2+, Mg2+, and HCO3-. The fluorescence fractions of drip water in dry season caves were mainly influenced by protein fluorophores, and the DOM of the drip water may be impacted by the chemical composition of the water, but the exact process is still unclear.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Huiyun Chen, Zhongju Feng, Min Wu, Guimei Zhou, Lu Chen, Cong Zhang
Summary: This study investigates the impact of karst caves on the vertical bearing characteristics of bridge pile foundations through static load tests, finite element analysis, and mechanical models. Displacement meters were used to measure pile settlement, and stress gauges were used to measure axial force. The results indicate that when the cave span is greater than 9 m x 9 m or the roof thickness is less than 2 times the pile diameter, the stress and deformation of the piles are significantly affected.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Paul Oluwunmi, Ingo Pecher, Rosalind Archer, Matthew Reagan, George Moridis
Summary: This study investigates the dissociation of gas hydrates following uplift using simulation tools. The results show that stabilizing effects from endothermic cooling, elevated pore pressure, and pore water freshening significantly slow down the dissociation process, allowing the hydrates to remain stable at their pre-uplift level. A shallower hydrate layer forms when the permeability is moderate to high, while low permeability traps the gas and leads to elevated pore pressure with potential implications for seafloor stability. These findings suggest that hydrates may exist outside the predicted stability field for thousands of years following uplift.
TRANSPORT IN POROUS MEDIA
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Yongshui Kang, Zhi Geng, Linhai Lu, Lei Chen, Xuewei Liu, Bin Liu, Xing Huang
Summary: Tunnelling in karst areas poses high risks of water inrush and ground collapses. This paper presents a case study of an urban metro tunnel to explore karst cave treatment and waterproofing strategies, which successfully reduced water inflow and prevented ground collapse accidents.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andreea Oarga-Mulec, Sara Skok, Tatjana Simcic, Janez Mulec
Summary: The mixture of coal bottom ash, slag, and fly ash placed in the cave may have harmful effects on the ecological environment and biota in the cave ecosystem. Thorough investigation should be carried out when removing these mixtures.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Geography, Physical
A. Securo, C. Del Gobbo, L. Rettig, S. Pillon, A. De Luca, D. Fontana, E. Benedetti Fasil, R. R. Colucci
Summary: Small glaciers in temperate mountain regions have experienced significant reduction and unprecedented melt rates in recent years. Some glaciers have transitioned from clean ice to debris-covered or even rock glaciers. This study examines the surface elevation change of the Popera Alto glacier in the Sesto Dolomites using LiDAR and Structure from Motion surveys, and analyzes its evolution in terms of surface cover and geomorphic processes. The glacier has lost an average of 0.35 m water equivalent per year over the past 16 years, with active modification of its surface cover by geomorphic processes. The role of debris and local topography feedback has allowed the resilience of the glacier, leading to a marked difference between the current environmental equilibrium line altitude (envELA) and the effective ELA (effELA) of the glacier.
Article
Geography, Physical
Zhenzhen Yan, Yaolin Shi, Lili Kang, Xiangtao Fan
Summary: This study proposes a quantitative regional deformation model based on global positioning system (GPS) data to quantitatively analyze the morphological evolution of rivers in the Three Rivers Region. It finds that tectonic deformation phases significantly control regional landscape development and drainage features.
Article
Geography, Physical
Said Mukhtar Ahmad, Nitheshnirmal Sadhasivam, Mona Lisa, Luigi Lombardo, Mustafa Kemal Emil, Amira Zaki, Cees J. Van Westen, Islam Fadel, Hakan Tanyas
Summary: In this study, we investigated a large slow-moving landslide in Northern Pakistan, using Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) analysis. Our results showed that the crown of the landslide is moving faster than the surrounding regions, while the footslope experienced high deformations. We discussed the possible roles of meteorologic and anthropogenic factors in causing these deformations.
Article
Geography, Physical
Shuang Bian, Xibin Tan, Yiduo Liu, Suoya Fan, Junfeng Gong, Chao Zhou, Feng Shi, Michael A. Murphy
Summary: The Yarlung River's drainage divide is primarily moving north due to variations in precipitation across the Himalayas. The Gangdese drainage divide shows predominantly northward and southward migration, controlled by base-level rise and downstream influences. The presence of north-trending rifts separates the drainage divides into five zones, each with a distinct migration pattern.
Article
Geography, Physical
Joon-Young Park, Seok Yoon, Deuk-Hwan Lee, Seung-Rae Lee, Hwan-Hui Lim
Summary: This study developed a multiple-regression model to estimate site-specific average growth rates of debris flow events. The proposed model was validated through a case study and showed reasonable predictions of debris flow velocities and heights.
Article
Geography, Physical
Nicholas Reilly Mccarroll, Arnaud Temme
Summary: New geochronological data from hillslope boulder armor in the Flint Hills reveal the rates and timing of lateral retreat in the landscape. Surfaces of limestone boulders dating back to the Pleistocene era were found, and the ages of the hillslope armor increased with distance from the limestone bench. The estimated rate of lateral retreat in this landscape is 0.02 mm/yr.
Article
Geography, Physical
Xinbo Yao, Yuntao Tian
Summary: By studying the Longmenshan-Minshan drainage divide, we found that it has reached a dynamic steady state, indicating a balance between erosion and rock uplift. This study also reveals the process of formation and evolution of the divide and raises questions about the effectiveness of divide migration metrics.
Article
Geography, Physical
Junhui Yu, Pin Yan, Yanlin Wang, Guangjian Zhong, Changliang Chen
Summary: The seafloor mounds in the Chaoshan Depression of the South China Sea are identified as mud volcanoes, with fluids coming from underlying mud-fluid diapirs. The hydrocarbon gases feeding the mud volcanoes and diapirs are reasoned to originate from deep Mesozoic source rocks, indicating significant Mesozoic hydrocarbon potential in the Chaoshan Depression.
Article
Geography, Physical
Marius Huber, Luc Scholtes, Jerome Lave
Summary: This paper investigates the relationships between hillslope stability and fabric anisotropy of brittle rock materials and the implications for landscape shaping. It explores the different stability modes and movement characteristics of anisotropic materials, and demonstrates the significant control of material anisotropy on landscape shaping.
Article
Geography, Physical
Shubhra Sharma, Anil D. Shukla
Summary: The study investigates the relationship between glacial dynamics and lake sedimentation during the mid-Holocene climate variability in the Southern Zanskar ranges. It utilizes geomorphological disposition, elemental geochemistry, and optical chronology of relict lake sediment to reconstruct the pattern of minor glacier responses to climate variability. The results indicate six centennial to millennial-scale climatic phases, with warmer phases represented by decreased mineralogical fine grain flux and increased coarse grain flux. The study highlights the potential of relict lake sediment and para/peri-glacial landforms in understanding glacial dynamics and climate change during the Holocene.
Article
Geography, Physical
Jean-Francois Bernier, Sydney W. Meury, Patrick Lajeunesse
Summary: In this study, an approach combining various data and observation methods was proposed to improve the monitoring of landfast ice dynamics and its geomorphic impact on sedimentary systems. The results demonstrate the ability of the approach to accurately measure interannual variations in landfast ice and constrain geomorphic changes. Additionally, the study found a strong relationship between the severity of freezing seasons and the response of landfast ice to hydrometeorological events, with different geomorphic responses observed under different winter conditions.
Article
Geography, Physical
Heping Shu, Fanyu Zhang
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between susceptibility of soil-water hazards and human activities, geoheritage sites in the Loess Plateau, China. Landslide and gully erosion susceptibility were obtained using gradient boosting and support vector machines, and a hazard matrix was formed to couple landslide and gully erosion susceptibility. The study found different trends in the magnification times of soil-water hazards chain under different scenarios.
Article
Geography, Physical
Guangqiang Qian, Zhuanling Yang, Xuegang Xing, Zhibao Dong, Youyuan Guo
Summary: Granule ripples are aeolian landforms armored against erosion by coarse grains. This study investigates their seasonal morphological evolution and migration in the Sanlongsha Dune Field. The findings show that wind events, especially those exceeding the threshold velocities of coarse grains, significantly influence the morphodynamics of granule ripples. The study highlights the importance of considering the reptation and saltation of coarse grains in future research on granule ripples.