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Theoretical and Applied Karstology, Volume 17, 2004
Silviu Constantin
IWIC-I, 1st International Workshop on Ice Caves February 29 - March 3, 2004 Capus, Romania This special issue of TAK focuses on alpine ice cave classification, physical processes in these caves, and paleoclimate reconstruction. Contents: Luetscher, M. Jeannin, P.-Y. - A process-based classification of alpine ice caves, pp. 5-10. A short historical outlook provides a general overview of the processes at the origin of ice caves. A classification based on two criteria is proposed: (1) the cave air dynamics enables differentiation between cases where thermal trapping is at the origin of the ice (static ice cave) from those where a cold thermal anomaly is induced by a chimney effect (dynamic ice cave) and, (2) the type of ice enables one to distinguish endogenic ice caves (congelation ice) from exogenic ice caves (accumulation and transformation of snow). The intermediate types being frequent, the suggested classification consists of nine classes covering most ice caves of temperate regions. Rachlewicz, G. Szczucinski, W. - Seasonal, annual and decadal ice mass balance changes in the ice cave Jaskinia Lodowa w Ciemniaku, the Tatra Mountains, Poland. pp. 11-18. Jaskinia Lodowa w Ciemniaku (Ice Cave in Ciemniak) is located in the Western Tatra Mountains (Tatry Zachodnie) and it hosts the largest known subterranean block of perennial ice in Poland. Its entrance is situated at 1715 m a.s.l and the cave climate is classified as dynamic type with seasonal and diurnal variations of air temperature. The mass balance of ice body was investigated on monthly, annual and decadal scale through a set of detailed measurements of ice geometry performed during 2000-2004 years and in comparison with existing older data. The nature of recent perennial ice changes was determined through temperature measurements and seasonal ice surface observations. In general the ice mass reveals negative mass balance, however melting is not continuous throughout the year. The largest lowering of ice surface was observed in summer, due to melting, and in winter (when temperatures were well below zero) on account of sublimation. The increase in ice volume was observed in springtime when percolating water was available and the temperature was slightly below zero. In the balance year 2000-2001, 37.8 m3 of ice was lost and in 2001-2002 as much as 53.2 m3. During the subsequent period, 2002-2004, the average negative mass balance was even of about 66.8 m3. Comparison between the detail geodetic survey in 2002 and published data from 1986 reveals that the averaged annual ice volume lost was 36.6 m3 y-1, slightly less than recently. The confrontation of reported ice mass geometries in 1922, 1950 and 1986 allows to estimate averaged annual ice mass loss in the period 1922-1950 as 23.0 m3 y-1 and, during the time-period 1950-1986 as 24.8 m3 y-1. It clearly shows that ice mass losses were significantly higher in the last decade. Luetscher, M. Jeannin, P.-Y. - The role of winter air circulations for the presence of subsurface ice accumulations: an example from Monlési ice cave (Switzerland). pp. 19-25. Investigations carried out in Monlési ice cave document the presence of significant air circulation between the two main cave entrances during the winter season. Air velocities measured in a known cross-section enable assessment of a maximal air flow of more than 10 m3/s. The resulting annual heat exchange is expressed by the temperature difference between the air inflow and outflow. The quantification of evapo-condensation processes sets the contribution of winter cooling to the final energy balance of the system. Citterio, M., Turri, S., Bini, A., Maggi, V., Pelfini, M., Pini, R., Ravazzi, C., Santilli, M., Stenni, B., Udisti, R. - Multidisciplinary approach to the study of the Lo Lc 1650 "Abisso sul Margine dell'Alto Bregai" ice cave (Lecco, Italy). pp. 27-44 In 1999 we selected the LoLc 1650 "Abisso sul Margine dell'Alto Bregai" ice cave to be a test site for a large number of different studies dealing with both ice caves climatology and cave ice glaciology. To investigate the dynamics of the vegetation cover outside the cave we constructed a local 850 years long Larix decidua Miller growth curve. We recorded air temperatures both inside and outside the cave, and described the surface morphology and internal structure of the fossil, stratified, clear ice deposit found at a depth of -80 m below the cave entrance. On 5 cm-thick ice samples cut from a 1.20 m-long ice core we determined chemical composition, d18O and pollen content, and performed atmospheric dust counting. We also cut thick sections for the morphological description of fluid inclusion and thin sections for ice fabric observations and measurements of c-axis orientations. Most of the investigation is still ongoing and comparisons with the results from a new 4.6 m long ice core are being carried out. In the present paper we summarize the results obtained thus far, and show that the integration of data coming from different disciplines is the fundamental step in the study of ice caves and cave ice. We also briefly discuss some terminological issues about various classifications commonly found in literature. Citterio, M., Turri, S., Bini, A., Maggi, V. - Observed trends in the chemical composition, d18O and crystal sizes vs. depth in the first ice core from the LoLc 1650 "Abisso sul Margine dell'Alto Bregai" ice cave (Lecco, Italy). pp. 45-50. A stratified clear ice deposit was drilled in an ice cave located at 2030 m a.s.l. in the Moncodeno area (Grigna Settentrionale, Lecco, Italy), and a 1.20 m-long ice core was recovered. Due to the topography of this cave the snowfalls cannot reach the ice deposit which is located at a depth of 80 metres below the cave entrance. Thin sections cut along the whole length of the core show significant textural evolution from equidimensional pluricentimetric at the top to columnar pluridecimetric crystals near the bottom of the thickest stratum. The samples from the ice core follow a well-defined general trend with depth both in the d18O values and ionic concentration (Na+, K+, NH4+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, SO42-, NO3-). We argue that the observed features are compatible with a "repeated freezing of shallow lakes" genetic model. The origin of the local deviations from the main trends observed at certain depths is discussed. Kern, Z., Fórizs, I., Nagy, B., Kázmér, M., Gál, A., Szánto, Z., Palcsu, L., Molnár, M. - Late Holocene environmental changes recorded at Gheþarul de la Focul Viu, Bihor Mountains, Romania. pp. 51-60. This paper synthesizes the isotope and tree-ring data gathered at Focul Viu Ice Cave (Romania). The 850 ±50 year BP radiocarbon age (1160-1260 cal. AD) from 6.67 m depth of ice indicate, that the stable isotope data of the 7 m long ice core approximately represent the past 800-900 years. However, melting events introduce obvious hiatuses in the sequence. The response function analysis revealed that main growth influencing climate factors for Abies alba are June mean temperature and early summer water supply. The sufficiently represented part of the 420 year long tree-ring index curve suggests particular periods unfavourable for annual increment of firs: 2000-1980, 1940-1920, 1890-1870 and 1860-1820, while the favourable periods are 1980-1940, 1920-1890 and 1870-1860. The fit between the growth-favorable decades and the mud layer concentrations seems to be a promising dating method of ancient melting events and partially preserved remained ice bands. Previously negative intervals of Easton coefficient time-series were fitted to ice accumulating periods. These independent dating methods - Easton coefficient and fir index - show similarity back to 1730 for ice accumulation and melting periods. Fórizs, I., Kern, Z., Szántó, Z., Nagy, B., Palcsu, L., Molnár, M. - Environmental isotopes study on perennial ice in the Focul Viu Ice Cave, Bihor Mountains, Romania. pp. 61-69. The Focul Viu Ice Cave situated at the elevation of c.1100 m a.s.l. in the karstic area of the Bihor Montains, Romania, has a perennial ice block with a thickness of about 14 m. Radiocarbon datings of the wood remnants captured by the ice gave a 0.84 cm/year long term rate for ice growth (based on a 1200-year period), while tritium measurements on the ice samples resulted in a 2 cm/year short term growth rate. The difference can be explained by the fact that the long term growth rate includes time-periods when the balance of ice accumulation/melting was negative. A 7-meter long ice-core has been taken from the ice block. The average stable oxygen isotope composition (d18O) of the uppermost 136 cm of the ice block is -9.5 ‰ VSMOW, which is considerably more positive than the estimated annual mean d18O value of the local precipitation. The process, which causes this 18O enrichment, is most probably the partial melting of the ice. Short Notes Persoiu, A. - Ice speleothems in Scãrisoara Cave: dynamics and controllers. pp. 71-76. The presence of perennial ice in static caves is generally a consequence of the accumulation of cold air and the freezing of seepage water. When dealing with the dynamics of the ice in these caves, a distinction must be made between the ice block, a typical glacial presence, and the ice stalagmites, developed in periglacial conditions. While the dynamics of the stalagmites is rather a simple one, governed by meteorological controllers, the dynamics of the ice block is more complex, involving geothermal heat flux and an important positive feedback process.
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Theoretical and Applied Karstology, Volume 1
Doc. Traian Orghidan
The First Symposium on Theoretical and Applied Karstology, Bucharest, Romania, 22-24 April 1983 Diaconu, G. Considérations concernant la genèse des argiles sur les calcaires de la "Zone Closani" - Monts Mehedinti. pp. 13-22. A la suite d'analyses chimiques et spectrales on émet l'hypothèse selon laquelle les argiles sur les calcaires de la "Zone Closani" sont allochtones. On fait certaines suppositions concernant le rôle du champ piézo-electrique dans la fixation des argiles sur les calcaires. Coman, D. Le karst - paysage biogéochimique. pp. 23-28. L'auteur argumente l'idée que la karstification et la spélèogenèse sont le résultat d'un processus d'altération biogéochomique des roches, dans lequel le rôle principal revient à la macroflore hétérotrophe et chémolitotrophe, celle-ci formant une vraie "bactériosphère" de la terre, au point de vue tant génétique que fonctionnel. Fabian, C. The karst phenomena study from the theory of systems point of view. pp. 29-34. Our purpose is to demonstrate that the karst system is an available one and to argue that the petrographic subsystem inside such a karst system plays an important part in the evolution of the latter. We consider that the state of stress and strain of the limestone, especially the strike of the tension joints, decides on the development of the cave. Our exemplification is drawn on some caves from Rodna Mountains and from Apuseni Mountains. Silvestru, E. - The relationship between tectonics and karstification in the Cave from Izvorul Tausoarelor (Rodna Mountains). pp 35-42. The author presents the importance of tectonics in the karstification of the limestone area from Tausoare (Rodna Mountains), using the tectonogram of the limestones and several morphological details. A correlation is attempted between the types of cracks and the role played by each one in the developing of the underground drainage. A possible explanation is proposed too, for a certain type of pseudomeanders. Lascu, C. Trigonolith - a microphorme in the sistematics of karst morphology. pp. 43-46. Nedopaca, M. Observations minéralogiques dans la Grotte des Ours - Bulzesti. pp. 47-51. L'ouvrage traite la minéralogie de la Grotte de Ours-Bulzesti. On décrit une série de minéraux: calcite, dahllite, gypse, montmorillonite, sidérite, psilomélan avec des déterminations microscopiques, analyses chimiques globales et spectrales;on donne aussi les analyses IR et RX. On discute la genèse de chaque minéral. Badau, A. Remarques sur la structure microscopique de certaines perles de caverne. pp. 51-58. Le travail présente les résultats d'une étude faite sur des sections minces de perles de caverne de divers types morphostructuraux. On y met en évidence la relation entre leur structure intime et les changements des conditions du milieu où elles ont pris naissance et se sont développées. Naum, T. Le volcano-karst et les minéralisations de fer et de soufre des Monts Caliman. pp. 59-68. L'aragonite, qui clôt l'activité hydrothermale, sépare deux étapes par la température des solutions: 1. L'étape des processus volcano-karstiques thermaux de longue durée, accusant des larges limites de variation de la themperature, concrétisés par la présence des concentrations de limonite, hématite, goétite (contenu éléve en fer lorsque la limonite se dépose dans des cavités et revêt des formes concrétionaires, stalactitiques et stalagmitiques - grotte le Palais de Chocolat) et par la présence des dépôts de soufre; 2. L'étape des processus volcano-hydrokarstiques froids, aux solutions agressives dues au fait qu'elles parcourent des roches acides, ainsi qu'a l'apport d'eaux provenant des tourbières, mise en évidence par la continuation (à présent également) du processus de formation des stalactites et des stalagmites (Palais de Chocolat), ainsi que par le dépôt de concentrations de limonite et de soufre. Mitrofan, H., Lascu, V., Boloveschi, I., Roman, C. Andreescu, S. Vertical cavities in the south-eastern Vilcan Mountains (Gorj district). pp. 69-76. Main cavities in South-Eastern Vilcan mountains are primarily of vertical development. Potholes distribution related to old erosion levels was examined and the depths of the shafts were considered as a function of the surface drainage network frequency. Iurkiewicz, A. Mitrofan, H. On karstic cavities vertical distribution regularities in southern and south-western Padurea Craiului Mountains. pp. 77-82. In most cases caves developments and potholes vertical extents are controlled by local base level. Taking into account some 50 major caves and potholes from Southern and South-Western Padurea Craiului Mountains, a correlation is proposed between pits bottoms and caves floors elevations on the one hand and erosional levels derived from surface drainage network evolution on the other hand. Goran, C. Le rapport entre l'extension et le dénivellement du cavernement, un indice spéléométrique éloquent. pp. 83-90. L'auteur propose un nouvel indice spéléometrique, tout en démontrant l'utilité de celui-ci dans la classification du cavernement et dans les interprétations de géomorphologie du karst. Cocean, P. Rusu, T. Types génétiques de gorges dans le karst des Monts Apuseni. pp. 91-98. Dans le karst des Monts Apuseni on distingue quatre catégories de gorges au point de vue génétique à savoir: épigénétiques, de capture karstique souterraine, antécédentes et de subsidence péripherique. On apporte aussi des contributions à la définition des gorges de capture karstique souterraine et à celles de subsidence périphérique. Constantinescu, T. Le Massif de Piatra Craiului. Genèse et évolution des torrents des versants nord-ouest et nord: glaciation Pléistocène. pp. 99-106. On relève le fait que les torrents creusés sur les versants nord-ouest et nord du massif de Piatra Craiului sont des formes spécifiques de cette unité montagneuse. Pour ces forme, non encore signalées dans la littérature géographique roumaine, l'auteur propose la dénomination de «vladusca». On signale, aussi, pour la première fois, le phénomène de la glaciation dans le massif de Piatra Craiului. Serban, M. Sur les méandres de Pestera Vintului (Monts Padurea Craiului). pp. 107-116. On décrit les méandres du niveau de karstification correspondant au premier étage de la Pestera Vintului de Suncuius (département de Bihor), dont la morphologie comporte des indices sur l'existence d'une ondulation verticale de la galerie primaire similaire au modèle établi par Deike (1967) dans la Mammoth Cave. L'ondulation verticale, analogue aux méandres horizontaux, est toujours une forme due au facteur hydrodynamique de la spéléogenèse. Viehmann, I. Considérations sur le karst d'Israel. pp. 117-122. Le travail présente plusieurs éléments caractérisant le karst d'Israël, en insistant surtout sur la grotte de Nahal Soreq - le phénomène karstique le plus important de ce pays. Sont également mentionnées les grottes formées en sel et les cavités anthropogènes de Beit Govrin. Les données incluses dans cette note sont le résultat d'un voyage d'études entrepris en octobre-novembre 1982, comme suite d'une invitation de Nature Reserves Authority de Jérusalem. Racovita, G. Sur la structure méroclimatique des cavités souterraines. pp. 123-130. Après avoir rappelé les principales unités définies en climatologie souterraine, le travail présente la structure méroclimatique fondamentale des différents types topoclimatiques de cavités, en insistant sur le cas de la grotte Ghetarul de la Scarisoara et en analysant les informations qui peuvent être obtenues à ce point de vue par l'étude de gradients thermiques et de l'amortissement des variations thermométriques. Caba, E. Gavrus, M. Recherches topoclimatiques dans la grotte de Pestera Dirninii (Vallée d'Albac, Massif du Bihor). pp. 131-138. Le travail présente les premiers résultats obtenus à la suite des études topoclimatiques effectuées dans la grotte de Peretele Dirninii au cours de l'année 1982, en discutant les principales particularités des paramètres physiques de l'atmosphère souterraine (température de l'air, humidité relative, vitesse de ventilation et évapocondensation). Craciun, V. Phénomènes de condensation endokarstique dans les calcaires éocènes de la zone de Manastireni-Bica (Cluj). pp. 139-146. Le travail présente les caractères morphologiques, litologiques et structuraux d'une île de calcaires paléogènes du bassin supérieur du Crisul Repede et discute les particularités des sources karstique qui apparaît au bord de cette île, en mettant en évidence le poids que la condensation endokarstique peut avoir dans l'alimentation des drainages souterrains. Oraseanu, I., Iurkiewicz, A., Gaspar, E. Pop, I. Sur les conditions hydrogéologiques des accumulations de bauxite du plateau karstique Racas-Scalvul Ples (Monts Padurea Craiului). pp. 147-152. Sur la base des études hydrogeologiques, complétées par des marquages à traceurs et des observations hydro-météorologiques, on a établi les principales directions d'écoulement des eaux souterraines du plateau dans lequel se trouve le gisement de bauxite d'Albioara, tout en proposant des solutions pour l'exploitation de ce gisement dans des conditions dépourvues de risque hydrogéologique. Oraseanu, I., Bulgar, A., Gaspar, E. Terteleac, N. Hydrogeological study of Dimbovicioara passage. pp. 153-164. A comprehensive hydrogeological study was performed in a 230 sq. km essentially carbonatic area of Piatra Craiului massif. Based upon the classical hydrogeologic research, the microtectonic observations, the radioactive and chemical tracers and the hydrometeorological data, the surface and groundwater balance is calculated, the hydrogeological basins of the main sources are delimitated, the relation between infiltration and surface drainage is established and the underground water resources are calculated. Bulgareanu, V., A., Feurdean, V., Gutu, A., Olteanu, E., Bogorodita, A. Hannich, D. Relations between the fresh- and salt waters circulation and the geodynamics of the Ocna Sugatag karstosaline and anthroposaline lake area (Maramures district). pp. 165-172. In the present paper, a circulation pattern of fresh- and salt waters (including the surface-, ground- and lake waters) is proposed and the relations between this last pattern and the areas with relative high rates of terrain sinking is analysed, in the context of existence of a rather developed gaps system, - not flooded - belonging to the old salt mines. Marin, C. Hydrochemical considerations in the lower Cerna river basin. pp. 173-182. The papers deals with a series of data concerning the chemism of Cerna karstic waters and main thermomineral sources from the area of Baile Herculane. The karstic springs are compared whith the limestone surface streams. It is ponted out their more alkaine pH values as compared to those from the other karstic areas. Regarding to the thermomineral sources from karstic aquifers, the salt effect is rendered evident a determinant of limestone dissolution. This situation is exemplified at Herculane spring. Povara, I. Marin, C. Hercule thermomineral spring. Hydrogeological and hydrochemical considerations. pp. 183-194. Herculane thermomineral spring acts as the main outlet of a large aquiferous structure - Cerna syncline, including Jurassic-Cretaceous limestones. Within the limestones body mixing occurs between karstic watersof surface origin and thermomineral ascending waters. This process is responsible for a high instability of the regimes of the yields, temperature and chemistry of the spring. Pascu, M., Moissiu, C. Moisescu, A. L'eau plate - une nouvelle ressource du karst de la Roumanie. pp. 195-206. On a identifié récemment en Roumanie les premières ressources d'eau plate, situées dans le karst des Monts Bucegi, Padurea Craiului et Cerna-Mehedinti - eaux oligominérales - et dans celui des Collines de Tulcea - eaux minérales. On souligne la très bonne stabilité organoleptique, physique, chimique et bactériologique des sources de Scropoasa et d'Izvorul Minunilor. Gaspar, E., Farcasiu, O., Stanescu, S.-P. Spiridon, S. Nuclear methods for karst hydrology investigation. pp. 207-214. Two nuclear methods for hydrokarstic structures investigation by tracers, are presented. The first method uses radioactive tracers and allows a simultaneous labeling of more sinkholes, the tracers being surveyed in one or more sources. Tracers shall be concentrated on ion exchange filters and measurement is to be performed by low background gamma spectrometry using a Ge(Li) detector. The second method uses Indium, under an In-EDTA complex form, as an activating tracer to study the dynamics of waters contained in karst. Determination of In concentration in water is carried out by bismuth-hydroxide coprecipitation and neutron activation analysis. Bulgar, A., Diaconu, V. Oancea,V. Modern methods in karst hydrological research. Application to some principal karst systems from the Southern Carpathians. pp. 215-224. The high price and technical difficulties related to the use of the direct methods in the karst water circulation study allow for a prioritary use of the indirect methods especially of the hydrological methods. A case study carried out for two of the main karst zones of the Southern Carpathians points out the possibilities afforded by the hydrological methods. Diaconu, V., Bulgar, A. Oancea, V. The use of the transfer function in establishing the water circulation characteristics in karst. pp. 225-230. The interpretation of the response of a karst system to an instantaneous tracer release (fluoresceine or potassium dichromate) in terms of the transfer function - determined as the Fourier transform of the output tracer concentration variations - allows the use of the data resulting from tracing operations in determining the attenuation factor and the time lag for transmission of the discharge variations between the input and output points. Oancea, V., Diaconu, V. Bulgar, A. The application of the numerical filters in the determination of the hydrological parameters of the karst systems. pp. 231-234. The transfer function of the karst system can be expressed analytically as a transfer function for a multistage filter. This approach allows the determination of some characteristic parameters of the karst system considered as a sum of subsystems, each of them representing a stage of the filter. Thus a much more detailed structure of the karst systems can be obtained. Ponta, G., Strusiewicz, R., Simion, G. Gaspar, E. Subterranean stream piracy in the Jiul de Vest-Cernisoara karst area - Romania, pp. 235-238. This paper reviews the geological and tectonic factors influencing the karst hydrogeology of the Jiul de Vest-Cernisoara karst area of the western part of South Carpathians (Retezat, Godeanu and Vilcan Mountains). A trace with In-EDTA of 13,350 m straight-line length across limestone is presented. Halasi, G. Ponta, G. Subterranean drainage in the upper part of the Sighistel valley (Apuseni Mountains). pp. 239-242. The Sighistel karst area is about 15 sq. km and contains several springs and swallets and more than 6,000 m of mapped cave passages in 160 caves. The relation between two main caves of the right side of Sighistel valley is presented. The drainage network is revealed by a dye-tracing experiment, which demonstrated the connection between two caves with 410 m difference level between entrances, being one of the greatest potential of Romanian caves, if it will be explored. Matos, P. Preliminary considerations on the project of a multifunctional hall built in the cave of Meziad, pp. 243-246. One of the most complex possibilities for the capitalization of the underground environment - the multifunctional hall built in a cave, the basic qualities demanded, the real possibilities offered in the Meziad cave, here are the topics of a pleasant and rational exploitation of the karstic landscape. Menesi, P. Nouvelles contributions a l'etude de la Grotte de Limanu (texte abrégé), pp. 247-248. Valenas, L., Halasi, G. Czako, L. The morphology and the hydrology of the underwater passages from Girda valley basin (Bihor Mountains) (abstract only), pp. 249-250. Valenas, L. Preliminary considerations on the problems arisen by active tectonics in Piriul Hodobanei Cave (Bihor Muntains) (abstract only), p. 251. Valenas, L. Morphologie de la Pestera de la Izvorul Gabor (Monts Padurea Craiului) (texte abrégé) p. 253. Open Access - Permission by Publisher Vol. 1 (1984) See Extended description for more information.
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