Geo- and Ecosystem Research Karst and Caves

Karst Hydrology—Karst Sediments

The aim of the research is to quantify weathering in the form of cave formation, cave filling, and surface denudation in the karst.

For this purpose, geogenic and organogenic material cycles in the karst are recorded using hydrochemical and sediment petrographic analyses taking into account vegetation- and climate-induced influences.By means of physical soil parameters and mineralogical structure as well as micromorphological characteristics on mineral grains, solid and fluid material transports are identified and classified in the karst system. Furthermore, mineralization products (clay mineral associations and aragonite sinter) are identified and tested for climate and environmental sensitivity.

The analysis methods include hydrochemical studies of the fluid mass balance and organogenic material transports as well as pollutant inputs through agriculture. Budgets of weathering are used to calculate cave formation and surface denudations.The main focus is on cave sediments and karst waters of the Franconian Alb (northern Bavaria), Schalkauer Platte (south Thuringia), and Rübeland (Saxony-Anhalt).

Project head: Katharina Peterknecht