Classification of Thermal Patterns at Karst Springs and Cave Streams

Thermal patterns of karst springs and cave streams provide potentially useful information concerning aquifer geometry and recharge. Temperature monitoring at 25 springs and cave streams in southeastern Minnesota has shown four distinct thermal patterns. These patterns can be divided into two types:...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ground water 2011-05, Vol.49 (3), p.324-335
Main Authors: Luhmann, Andrew J., Covington, Matthew D., Peters, Andrew J., Alexander, Scott C., Anger, Cale T., Green, Jeffrey A., Runkel, Anthony C., Alexander Jr, E. Calvin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aquifers
Caves
Classification
Creeks & streams
Geologic Sediments
Groundwater
Groundwater recharge
Heat transfer
Karst
Minnesota
Rivers
Springs
Streams
Temperature
Water Cycle
Water Movements
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Summary:Thermal patterns of karst springs and cave streams provide potentially useful information concerning aquifer geometry and recharge. Temperature monitoring at 25 springs and cave streams in southeastern Minnesota has shown four distinct thermal patterns. These patterns can be divided into two types: those produced by flow paths with ineffective heat exchange, such as conduits, and those produced by flow paths with effective heat exchange, such as small fractures and pore space. Thermally ineffective patterns result when water flows through the aquifer before it can equilibrate to the rock temperature. Thermally ineffective patterns can be either event‐scale, as produced by rainfall or snowmelt events, or seasonal scale, as produced by input from a perennial surface stream. Thermally effective patterns result when water equilibrates to rock temperature, and the patterns displayed depend on whether the aquifer temperature is changing over time. Shallow aquifers with seasonally varying temperatures display a phase‐shifted seasonal signal, whereas deeper aquifers with constant temperatures display a stable temperature pattern. An individual aquifer may display more than one of these patterns. Since karst aquifers typically contain both thermally effective and ineffective routes, we argue that the thermal response is strongly influenced by recharge mode.
ISSN:0017-467X
1745-6584
DOI:10.1111/j.1745-6584.2010.00737.x