{"title":"Micro-karstification in a stalactite from Küpeli Cave, southern Turkey","authors":"Muhsin Eren, Muhammetmyrat Palvanov","doi":"10.1007/s13146-024-01004-w","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p>This study investigates the dissolution characteristics of a stalactite from Küpeli Cave in southern Turkey, employing a holistic approach that includes macroscopic and microscopic analyses alongside advanced techniques such as X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The studied stalactite exhibits distinct morphological features: an upper main body with visible growth layers and dissolution channels, and a lower pendant made of solid sparite calcite crystals. The outer surface of the main body exhibits partial dissolution corrosion and protrusion-like structures resulting from channel infilling resisting corrosion. Notably, the pendant section of the stalactite remains largely unaffected by the dissolution, preserving its original structure. The longitudinal cross-section of the main body reveals dissolution channels along the growth layer's surface, partially filled with calcite cement. Secondary channels branch off the main channels, some connected to the outer surface at certain points, allowing cave water to enter. The dissolution processes also lead to microscale changes in the primary microfabrics, including the widening of intercrystalline pores, microperforated zones, microchannels, rhombohedral microcrystalline blocks, spiky calcite, pits, and abiotic micritization. The recurring dissolution features inside the stalactite indicate synchronous dissolution during stalactite formation, where the precipitation/dissolution conditions repeat cyclically. Dissolution typically occurs during the rainy season when cave water is unsaturated with calcite, otherwise, calcite precipitates, forming overgrowth layers and/or cement.</p>","PeriodicalId":9612,"journal":{"name":"Carbonates and Evaporites","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1000,"publicationDate":"2024-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Carbonates and Evaporites","FirstCategoryId":"89","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s13146-024-01004-w","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"GEOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
This study investigates the dissolution characteristics of a stalactite from Küpeli Cave in southern Turkey, employing a holistic approach that includes macroscopic and microscopic analyses alongside advanced techniques such as X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The studied stalactite exhibits distinct morphological features: an upper main body with visible growth layers and dissolution channels, and a lower pendant made of solid sparite calcite crystals. The outer surface of the main body exhibits partial dissolution corrosion and protrusion-like structures resulting from channel infilling resisting corrosion. Notably, the pendant section of the stalactite remains largely unaffected by the dissolution, preserving its original structure. The longitudinal cross-section of the main body reveals dissolution channels along the growth layer's surface, partially filled with calcite cement. Secondary channels branch off the main channels, some connected to the outer surface at certain points, allowing cave water to enter. The dissolution processes also lead to microscale changes in the primary microfabrics, including the widening of intercrystalline pores, microperforated zones, microchannels, rhombohedral microcrystalline blocks, spiky calcite, pits, and abiotic micritization. The recurring dissolution features inside the stalactite indicate synchronous dissolution during stalactite formation, where the precipitation/dissolution conditions repeat cyclically. Dissolution typically occurs during the rainy season when cave water is unsaturated with calcite, otherwise, calcite precipitates, forming overgrowth layers and/or cement.
本研究采用宏观和微观分析以及 X 射线衍射和扫描电子显微镜等先进技术,对土耳其南部 Küpeli 洞穴的钟乳石的溶解特征进行了全面研究。所研究的钟乳石具有明显的形态特征:上部主体具有可见的生长层和溶解通道,下部悬挂物由坚硬的斯氏方解石晶体组成。主体的外表面呈现出部分溶解腐蚀和通道填充抵抗腐蚀所产生的突起状结构。值得注意的是,钟乳石的下垂部分基本没有受到溶蚀的影响,保留了原有的结构。钟乳石主体的纵向横截面显示了沿生长层表面的溶解通道,部分通道被方解石胶结物填充。次级通道从主通道分支出来,有些通道在某些位置与外表面相连,使洞穴水得以进入。溶解过程还导致原生微织物发生微观变化,包括晶间孔隙扩大、微穿孔区、微通道、斜方体微晶块、尖晶石方解石、凹坑和非生物微ritization。钟乳石内部反复出现的溶解特征表明在钟乳石形成过程中存在同步溶解现象,即沉淀/溶解条件周期性重复。溶解通常发生在雨季,因为此时洞穴水未饱和方解石,否则方解石会沉淀下来,形成过度生长层和/或胶结物。
期刊介绍:
Established in 1979, the international journal Carbonates and Evaporites provides a forum for the exchange of concepts, research and applications on all aspects of carbonate and evaporite geology. This includes the origin and stratigraphy of carbonate and evaporite rocks and issues unique to these rock types: weathering phenomena, notably karst; engineering and environmental issues; mining and minerals extraction; and caves and permeability.
The journal publishes current information in the form of original peer-reviewed articles, invited papers, and reports from meetings, editorials, and book and software reviews. The target audience includes professional geologists, hydrogeologists, engineers, geochemists, and other researchers, libraries, and educational centers.