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Contents of 26(2)

Editorial

(Gunn, J. & D. Lowe (eds))
Editorial
Vol 26 (2) pp 51 - 52: The mechanism for the review, refereeing and editing of contributions to Cave and Karst Science is covered. Comments are made about a welcome upturn in the number of science-related presentations at the Conference Hidden Earth '99, and it is remarked that many sporting cavers have the potential to produce science-related papers for publication. The BCRA Research Fund exists to facilitate such studies. The work of the Special Interest Groups is mentioned; and the Cave Science Symposium 25.3.2000 at University of Huddersfield is publicised. It is mentioned that some scientific authors also summarise their work in more readily accessible form in Caves & Caving and also in the Cave Studies Series. The publication of interim or speculative papers is encouraged: however, interpretation of the currently available evidence, lateral thinking, the search for hard data, followed by debate and criticism, and possible co-option of additional autho! rs to improve adequate coverage of specialist areas will all take time.

(Craven, S.A.)
A history of cave exploration in the Northern Pennines, United Kingdom, up to 1838
Vol 26 (2) pp 53 - 59: Abstract: Cave exploration in the northern Pennines, which goes back four centuries, is placed in its social, economic and logistical context. The early stimuli were mainly commercial i.e. the tourist trade; but there are a few reports by disinterested travellers with enquiring minds.

(Viles, H. & A. Pentecost)
Geomorphological controls on tufa deposition at Nash Brook, South Wales, United Kingdom
Vol 26 (2) pp 61 - 68: Abstract: Tufa deposition is an important short term influence on carbon cycling and an interesting, under-studied component of many karst landscapes. Nash Brook, in South Wales is a small tufa-depositing stream located in a small valley choked with older tufa deposits. Tufa is currently being deposited along a suite of small barrages within the river channel. Studies have been made of the morphometry and arrangement of these barrages, and short-term (9-month) measurements of tufa deposition made across a sample of the barrages. The morphometric studies show a complex series of relationships between barrage height, spacing and slope gradient, and allow hypotheses about hydrological controls on barrage formation to be tested. Large woody debris appears to play an important rôle in the initiation of barrages, and various microflora (including the alga Vaucheria germinata) aid the small scale accumulation of tufa. The highest short-term rates of tufa deposition occur! on barrage crests towards the headward end of the barrage system. Current tufa formation at Nash Brook appears to reflect the interaction of hydrological and biological controls. Although small in magnitude compared with the fossil deposits in the valley, tufa barrages continue to play an important rôle in this karst fluvial system.

(Wilcock, J.D. & D.J. Lowe)
On the origin of the thermal waters at Bath, United Kingdom: A sub-Severn hypothesis
Vol 26(2) pp 69 - 80: Abstract: Possible sources of the Bath and Hotwells thermal spring waters are discussed speculatively in the light of some still-evolving modern views of cave development and groundwater movement, particularly the Inception Horizon Hypothesis of cave origin. A lateral viewpoint is adopted, that is not dominated by conventional ideas of underground drainage or by interpretations of "hard" data that provide partial support for a southerly water source, as preferred in the generally accepted "Mendip Model". On this basis, a tentative "sub-Severn Model" for at least part of the drainage feeding the springs is considered, with possible water sources west of the Severn in South Wales and the Tidenham Chase and Forest of Dean Basin synclines in Gloucestershire. Several indications support the potential existence of underground flows from the west, but neither this source or the seemingly more likely source in the Mendip Hills can yet be demonstrated conclusively as contributing to th! e flow of the Bath Springs.

(Zhang, D.D.)
Field examination of limestone dissolution rates and the formation of active karren on the Tibetan plateau
Vol 26(2) pp 81 - 86: Abstract: Karst dissolution rates on the Tibetan Plateau were measured by using standard limestone tablets that lay in air, soil, sediment and on the limestone surface for more than 10 years. In most cases the tablets from the limestone surface and air show little sign of dissolutional processes, because of the prevailing highly arid conditions and low content of CO2 in the air. Such low rates of dissolutional activity probably indicate that most types of karren found on the plateau are not active karst features. The samples in sedimentary detritus generally gained weight, indicating that deposition is taking place. This reflects both the overall aridity and the strong evaporation related to intense solar radiation input and the small amount of precipitation. Dissolution occurs only in the soil layer, which has a higher CO2 content, indicating that biogenic karst processes are the major producer of currently active karst features in this cold and arid highland.

(Murphy, P.J.)
Sediment studies in Joint Hole, Chapel-le-Dale, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Vol 26 (2) pp 87 - 90: Abstract: Observation and analysis of the sediment covering an area of the floor in the main passage of Joint Hole, a flooded cave system in the Yorkshire Dales, has revealed a two-fold division of the deposits. The lower division of pale-coloured, clay grade, material consists of calcite and quartz. The upper division consists of sand, gravel and coarser material with clasts, both covered with and cemented by dark friable iron rich material. An origin as glacial rock flour associated with active glacier ice and washed into the cave is proposed for the clay grade material, whereas the overlying coarser material has been emplaced in the cave during a time of increased water flow, possible associated with a glaciation.

(Lowe, D.J.)
Meeting Review
Vol 26 (2) pp 91 - 95: 7th International Karstological School: "Classical karst", Postojna, Slovenia, 28-30 June 1999.

(Michie, N.J. 1998)
An investigation of the climate, CO2 and dust in Jenolan Caves, New South Wales, Australia
Vol 26 (2) p 96: PhD 1998, Macquarie University, New South Wales 2109, Australia

(Gullen, T. 1999)
Non-invasive investigation of polygonal karst features: Yorkshire Dales National Park, United Kingdom
Vol 26(2) p 96: MSc Dissertation, Exploration Geophysics, University of Leeds, Department of Earth Sciences, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK

This page created by Dr John D. Wilcock j.wilcock[at]bcra... and edited by David Gibson.