Structural, geomorphic, and hydrochemical influences on the karst hydrogeology of the Haney Limestone in south-central Structural, geomorphic, and hydrochemical influences on the karst hydrogeology of the Haney Limestone in south-central Kentucky, USA

Alternative Title

Hydrogeology Journal

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Publication Date

1-9-2021

Volume Number

29

Abstract

South-central Kentucky (USA) has one of the world’s most intensively studied karst landscape/aquifer systems, including the carbonates that hold the Mammoth Cave System. Slightly higher in the Mississippian (Lower Carboniferous) stratigraphic section, the Haney Limestone forms a locally important but much less well-studied karst aquifer. This research provides the most comprehensive synthesis to date of the karst hydrogeology of the Haney Limestone of south-central Kentucky, focusing on the distribution of and controls on caves and karst features. In contrast to drainage systems within the underlying major limestones, joints have controlled passage development in the Haney Limestone, and passage orientation is consistent with regional jointing. Bedding planes and insoluble rock at the base of the Haney Limestone also influence conduit development. Most caves developed in the Haney Limestone in the study area are single-conduit caves that receive direct allogenic recharge. Often, cave entrances are perennial springs where streams resurge, suggesting that the caves function within the contemporary landscape as drains for localized recharge areas. Most caves developed in the Haney Limestone appear to be geologically recent phenomena. Most cave passages in the study area are hydrologically active, water resurging from the sampled springs is typically undersaturated with respect to calcite, and some caves appear to be developed along stress-release fractures associated with small young valleys. This suggests that caves in the Haney Limestone were not directly influenced by the incision of the Green River over vast periods, as was the case for Mammoth Cave, but that cave development is a largely contemporary process.

Keywords

Karst, Carbonate rocks, Groundwater flow, Hydrochemistry, USA

Document Type

Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-020-02269-w

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