Originally published in 1989, Karst Geomorphology and Hydrology became the leading textbook on karst studies. This new textbook has been substantially revised and updated. The first half of the book is a systematic presentation of the dissolution kinetics, chemical equilibria and physical flow laws relating to karst environments.

Preface xi Acknowledgements xiii 1 Introduction to Karst 1 1.1 Definitions 1 1.2 The Relationships of Karst with General Geomorphology and Hydrogeology 4 1.3 The Global Distribution of Karst 5 1.4 The Growth of Ideas 6 1.5 Aims of the Book 8 1.6 Karst Terminology 8 2 The Karst Rocks 9 2.1 Carbonate Rocks and Minerals 9 2.2 Limestone Compositions and Depositional Facies 12 2.3 Limestone Diagenesis and the Formation of Dolomite 18 2.4 The Evaporite Rocks 24 2.5 Quartzites and Siliceous Sandstones 27 2.6 Effects of Lithological Properties upon Karst Development 28 2.7 Interbedded Clastic Rocks 31 2.8 Bedding Planes, Joints, Faults and Fracture Traces 31 2.9 Fold Topography 35 2.10 Palaeokarst Unconformities 36 3 Dissolution: Chemical and Kinetic Behaviour of the Karst Rocks 39 3.1 Introduction 39 3.2 Aqueous Solutions and Chemical Equilibria 41 3.3 The Dissolution of Anhydrite, Gypsum and Salt 44 3.4 The Dissolution of Silica 45 3.5 Bicarbonate Equilibria and the Dissolution of Carbonate Rocks in Normal Meteoric Waters 45 3.6 The S–O–H System and the Dissolution of Carbonate Rocks 53 3.7 Chemical Complications in Carbonate Dissolution 57 3.8 Biokarst Processes 61 3.9 Measurements in the Field and Laboratory: Computer Programs 62 3.10 Dissolution and Precipitation Kinetics of Karst Rocks 65 4 Distribution and Rate of Karst Denudation 77 4.1 Global Variations in the Solutional Denudation of Carbonate Terrains 77 4.2 Measurement and Calculation of Solutional Denudation Rates 82 4.3 Solution Rates in Gypsum, Salt and Other Non-Carbonate Rocks 90 4.4 Interpretation of Measurements 92 5 Karst Hydrogeology 103 5.1 Basic Hydrogeological Concepts, Terms and Definitions 103 5.2 Controls on the Development of Karst Hydrological Systems 116 5.3 Energy Supply and Flow-Network Development 124 5.4 Development of the Water Table and Phreatic Zones 129 5.5 Development of the Vadose Zone 132 5.6 Classification and Characteristics of Karst Aquifers 134 5.7 Applicability of Darcy’s Law to Karst 136 5.8 Freshwater–Saltwater Interface 140 6 Analysis of Karst Drainage Systems 145 6.1 The ‘Grey Box’ Nature of Karst 145 6.2 Surface Exploration and Survey Techniques 146 6.3 Investigating Recharge and Percolation in the Vadose Zone 153 6.4 Borehole Analysis 163 6.5 Spring Hydrograph Analysis 173 6.6 Polje Hydrograph Analysis 181 6.7 Spring Chemograph Interpretation 182 6.8 Storage Volumes and Flow Routing Under Different States of the Hydrograph 187 6.9 Interpreting the Organization of a Karst Aquifer 189 6.10 Water-Tracing Techniques 191 6.11 Computer Modelling of Karst Aquifers 203 7 Speleogenesis: The Development of Cave Systems 209 7.1 Classifying Cave Systems 209 7.2 Building the Plan Patterns of Unconfined Caves 214 7.3 Unconfined Cave Development in Length and Depth 222 7.4 System Modifications Occurring within a Single Phase 231 7.5 Multiphase Cave Systems 233 7.6 Meteoric Water Caves Developed Where There is Confined Circulation or Basal Injection of Water 236 7.7 Hypogene Caves: Hydrothermal Caves Associated Chiefly with CO 2 240 7.8 Hypogene Caves: Caves Formed by Waters Containing H 2 S 243 7.9 Sea-Coast Eogenetic Caves 246 7.10 Passage Cross-Sections and Smaller Features of Erosional Morphology 249 7.11 Condensation, Condensation Corrosion and Weathering in Caves 261 7.12 Breakdown in Caves 265 8 Cave Interior Deposits 271 8.1 Introduction 271 8.2 Clastic Sediments 271 8.3 Calcite, Aragonite and Other Carbonate Precipitates 281 8.4 Other Cave Minerals 292 8.5 Ice in Caves 294 8.6 Dating of Calcite Speleothems and Other Cave Deposits 298 8.7 Palaeoenvironmental Analysis of Calcite Speleothems 306 8.8 Mass Flux Through a Cave System: The Example of Friar’s Hole, West Virginia 320 9 Karst Landform Development in Humid Regions 321 9.1 Coupled Hydrological and Geochemical Systems 321 9.2 Small-Scale Solution Sculpture – Microkarren and Karren 321 9.3 Dolines – The ‘Diagnostic’ Karst Landform? 339 9.4 The Origin and Development of Solution Dolines 342 9.5 The Origin of Collapse and Subsidence Depressions 346 9.6 Polygonal Karst 351 9.7 Morphometric Analysis of Solution Dolines 353 9.8 Landforms Associated with Allogenic Inputs: Contact Karst 358 9.9 Karst Poljes 361 9.10 Corrosional Plains and Shifts in Baselevel 365 9.11 Residual Hills on Karst Plains 370 9.12 Depositional and Constructional Karst Features 377 9.13 Special Features of Evaporite Terrains 381 9.14 Karstic Features of Quartzose and Other Rocks 388 9.15 Sequences of Carbonate Karst Evolution in Humid Terrains 391 9.16 Computer Models of Karst Landscape Evolution 395 10 The Influence of Climate, Climatic Change and Other Environmental Factors on Karst Development 401 10.1 The Precepts of Climatic Geomorphology 401 10.2 The Hot Arid Extreme 402 10.3 The Cold Extreme: Karst Development in Glaciated Terrains 410 10.4 The Cold Extreme: Karst Development in Permafrozen Terrains 421 10.5 Sea-Level Changes, Tectonic Movement and Implications for Coastal Karst Development 427 10.6 Polycyclic, Polygenetic and Exhumed Karsts 434 11 Karst Water Resources Management 441 11.1 Water Resources and Sustainable Yields 441 11.2 Determination of Available Water Resources 442 11.3 Karst Hydrogeological Mapping 445 11.4 Human Impacts on Karst Water 449 11.5 Groundwater Vulnerability, Protection and Risk Mapping 460 11.6 Dam Building, Leakages, Failures and Impacts 464 12 Human Impacts and Environmental Rehabilitation 471 12.1 The Inherent Vulnerability of Karst Systems 471 12.2 Deforestation, Agricultural Impacts and Rocky Desertification 473 12.3 Sinkholes, Induced by Dewatering, Surcharging, Solution Mining and other Practices on Karst 478 12.4 Problems of Construction on and in the Karst Rocks – Expect the Unexpected! 485 12.5 Industrial Exploitation of Karst Rocks and Minerals 489 12.6 Restoration of Karstlands and Rehabilitation of Limestone Quarries 494 12.7 Sustainable Management of Karst 499 12.8 Scientific, Cultural and Recreational Values of Karstlands 502 References 505 Index 554

Karst Hydrogeology and Geomorphology is a fully revised and updated version of the extensively used and widely cited Karst Geomorphology and Hydrology published in 1989. This systems orientated book is based on the authors’ own teaching, research, consulting and international experience and includes wide international citations and illustrations This edition features a stronger emphasis on karst hydrogeology, applied aspects of karst and practical problems of karst as well as computer modelling. New developments in the field such as ground penetrating radar, cosmogenic exposure age dating and mass spectrometer techniques are evaluated The book provides a comprehensive sequenced discussion covering the significant features of karst rocks, the chemistry and kinetics of their dissolution, regional dissolution and carbon sequestration rates as well as fundamentals of hydrogeology with emphasis on the distinctive triple porosity of karst aquifers, cavern genesis, modelling of karst aquifers, the nature and palaeo-environmental importance of cave deposits, karst landforms at the surface, palaeokarst, applied karst problems, sustainable management and conservation of karst resources. Karst Hydrogeology and Geomorphology is an invaluable reference for students of karst studies, karst geomorphology and groundwater hydrogeology as well as hydrogeologists, geomorphologists and civil engineers practicing in regions with karst rocks.

"Derek Ford and Paul Williams have produced another magisterial overview of the exciting world karst which should be found in a prominent position on the bookshelf … . It sets the standard as the definitive guide to karst studies, and should be a highly useful source of reference both for those new to karst and for karst experts for many years to come." (Zeitschrift fur Geomorphologie, December 2008) "The scope of coverage is quite significant and the reference is astounding--it is amazing to see how much material is contained within a 562-page monograph." (CHOICE, March 2008) "This new edition strengthens the book's position as the essential reference in the field. Karst geoscientists will not dare to stray beyond arm's reach of this volume. It is certain to remain the professional standard for many decades." (Journal of Cave and Karst Studies, August 2007)