Cave & Karst Science (ISSN 1356-191X)

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Contents of Cave & Karst Science 36(3)

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Cave and Karst Science (iv + 32pp) (PDF 46.7MB)        Individual articles may be available below

GUNN, John and David LOWE (eds.). (2009). Cave and Karst Science 36(3). Buxton: British Cave Research Association. ISSN 1356-191X. iv + 32pp, A4, with photos, maps and diagrams.
This issue has a cover date of 2009 (December) and was published in July 2010.

The Transactions of the British Cave Research Association

Layman's Summaries

Some of the articles in this issue are explained in a layman's summary. Look for the 'Summary' icons below, or download the article from here: PDF 678KB  

Front cover photo (page i) (PDF 2.7MB)     

by Tony WALTHAM.
Some of the forested islands that comprise the drowned fengcong karst of the singularly beautiful Rock Islands of Palau, in the western Pacific Ocean. See Report in this issue.

 

Notes for Contributors (page ii) (PDF 624KB)     

 

Contents (p65) (PDF 650KB)     

 

Caves of the Yorkshire Dales - Call for photographs (p66) (PDF 2.1MB)     

 

Editorial (p67) (PDF 566KB)     

by David LOWE and John GUNN.

 

Janine Gibert, obituary (p68) (PDF 605KB)     

by Graham PROUDLOVE, Paul WOOD and Lee KNIGHT.

 

Ecology of the hyporheic zone: a review (pp69-76) (PDF 2.0MB)     

by Octavian PACIOGLU.
It is widely recognized that the hyporheic zone is a crucial component of river ecosystems, structurally and functionally. This article provides a contemporary review outlining the historical development of research in the field and an overview of the current state of knowledge regarding the structure and functioning of hyporheic invertebrate assemblages. The paper makes a call for a more holistic approach to the study of the hyporheic zone and the invertebrate communities that inhabit it.
Summary: For layman's summary see PDF 678KB  
Classification: Paper.
Date: Received 11 November 2009; Accepted 06 June 2010.
Keywords: hyporheic, stygobionts, chalk, karst, nitrate, organic pollution.

Bibliograph: PACIOGLU, Octavian. (2009). Ecology of the hyporheic zone: a review. Cave and Karst Science 36(3), pp69-76.

 

Karst and caves of Palau (pp77-80) (PDF 13.2MB)     

by Tony WALTHAM.
The Rock Islands of Palau, in the western Pacific Ocean, constitute a partially drowned fengcong karst with forest-covered conical hills that now form numerous islands. The karst is unusual in that many of the hills are coalesced into long sinuous ridges, which might be inherited from pre-karstic marine erosion. Known caves within the Palau karst are all short, consisting of truncated old chambers and also tidal caves through to hong lakes in flooded dolines.
Summary: For layman's summary see PDF 678KB  
Classification: Report.
Date: Received 01 June 2010; Accepted 10 June 2010.
Keywords: Palau, drowned karst, marine, fengcong, hongs.

Bibliograph: WALTHAM, Tony. (2009). Karst and caves of Palau. Cave and Karst Science 36(3), pp77-80.

 

Interim report on a geoarchaeological project in the karstic region of the Serranía de Cuenca (central Spain) (pp81-84) (PDF 15.5MB)     

by Alfonso BENITO-CALVO and Ignacio DE LA TORRE.
The Serranía de Cuenca (Iberian Chain, Central Spain) is dominated by calcareous plateaus and canyons with abundant karstic landforms, such as caves and rock-shelters. These features contribute to giving the Serranía de Cuenca great potential as a locality for research into the Palaeolithic. In 2008 we started a geoarchaeological project in this region, in order to investigate aspects of human settlement in Central Iberia during the Pleistocene. The first stages of the project sought to determine the karstic locations most likely to include archaeological sites, by making use of indexes and GIS map analysis. This approach produced digital maps and databases of potential locations that are now being used as a basis for follow-up field surveys. The combination of laboratory and field surveys has yielded interesting preliminary results, leading to the recognition of large rock-shelters with thick Pleistocene deposits, whose archaeological potential will be tested in the next stage of the project.
Summary: For layman's summary see PDF 678KB  
Classification: Report.
Date: 23 April 2010; Accepted 03 June 2010.
Keywords: karst, Palaeolithic research, geoarchaeological surveys, Serranía de Cuenca, Spain.

Bibliograph: BENITO-CALVO, Alfonso and Ignacio DE LA TORRE. (2009). Interim report on a geoarchaeological project in the karstic region of the Serranía de Cuenca (central Spain). Cave and Karst Science 36(3), pp81-84.

 

A high-resolution spatial survey of cave air carbon dioxide concentrations in Scoska Cave (North Yorkshire, UK): implications for calcite deposition and re-dissolution (pp85-92) (PDF 2.9MB)     

by Tom WHITAKER, Daniel JONES, James U L BALDINI and Alex J BAKER.
Carbon dioxide concentration variability in caves has implications for palaeoclimatic research involving stalagmites, the conservation of cave art, condensation corrosion, and safety during cave exploration. Here we present a high-resolution spatial survey of cave air carbon dioxide partial pressure (PCO2) in the 1.5km Scoska Cave system in North Yorkshire, UK, constructed using measurements taken during the interval of July 1 to July 5, 2008.
According to the spatial P-CO2 survey, 76% of the cave air P-CO2 increase occurred within the first ~50 metres; consequently the P-CO2 gradient throughout the rest of the cave was slight. As is the case in other caves, this suggests that a 'front' exists at this site between high P-CO2 cave air and low P-CO2 outside air, where the P-CO2 increases dramatically over a short distance. Temperature data support this interpretation. This CO2 'front' is thought to represent the farthest point reached by large-scale advection of air out of the cave, and its position is hypothesized to fluctuate depending on atmospheric conditions. Thus, distinct P-CO2 trends characterize sections of the Scoska Cave system, which result in spatial variability in calcite deposition and redissolution.
Modelled stalagmite growth rates vary between negligible and 0.21 mm yr-1, depending on unconstrained drip water [Ca2+] values and cave atmosphere P-CO2. Assuming constant drip water [Ca2+], optimum calcite deposition occurs near to the cave entrance, where ventilation and advection reduce P-CO2 levels most effectively. However, calcite precipitation on the roof of the cave may partially control the [Ca2+] of drip water that reaches the floor, so although the link between overall calcite deposition (i.e., on the roof and the floor) and P-CO2 appears robust, the effect of variable cave air P-CO2 on stalagmite growth rates requires more research. These calculations suggest that calcite precipitation rates in different areas of Scoska Cave may differ due to local P-CO2 and temperature variability, highlighting the benefits of thoroughly understanding site-specific cave environmental factors prior to the interpretation of stalagmite-based palaeoclimate records.
Summary: For layman's summary see PDF 678KB  
Classification: Paper.
Date: Received 03 March 2010; Accepted 01 June 2010.

Bibliograph: WHITAKER, Tom; Daniel JONES, James U L BALDINI and Alex J BAKER. (2009). A high-resolution spatial survey of cave air carbon dioxide concentrations in Scoska Cave (North Yorkshire, UK): implications for calcite deposition and re-dissolution. Cave and Karst Science 36(3), pp85-92.

 

Correspondence (pp93-95) (PDF 1.8MB)     

1) Flowstones and former water levels in Keld Head, Kingsdale, North Yorkshire, UK. (John Cordingley).
2) Spherical and discus-shaped stream pebbles (Charlie Self).
3) Limestone pavement erosion rates and rainfall (Trevor Faulkner).
Classification: Forum.

 

World Karst Science (p95) (PDF 1.3MB)     

Subterranean Biology, Volume 7, 2009.
Classification: Forum.

 

Research Fund and Grants (p96) (PDF 613KB)     

 

Advert: 6th International Conference on Climate Change (page iii) (PDF 2.8MB)     

 

Back cover photos (page iv) (PDF 7.8MB)     

by Tony WALTHAM.
Coastal karst of the Philippines. For a description, please refer to the contents page of this issue.