CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : Harmon, R.S.; Drake, J.J.; Ford, D.C.; et al
Date : 1973.
Title : Geochemistry of karst waters in North America
Publication : Int.Spel.
Issue :
Page(s) : 103-114.
Abstract
A karst water can be characterized by its chemical constitution. Of the various quantities obtained from chemical analysis and from calculations from the chemical analysis, the most useful are total hardness (calculated from either Ca++ + Mg++ or from HCO3-, saturation index (defined as log [ion activity product/solubity product]) and theoretical CO2 pressure (calculated from pH and HCO3-). Hundreds of data sets have been collected from karst springs and seepage waters from Canada, United States, and Mexico. These data show a large variation which can be separated into contributions from [the effect of hydrogeologic setting] + [short term seasonal effects] + [climatic effects]. The first two terms dominate the variance, and climatic influences are easily disguised. Multiple linear regression analysis allows the variance to be separated, and climatic controls on the chemistry of karst waters can be identified. By clustering data within homogeneous climatic zones and averaging these, linear relations between hardness and mean temperature can be obtained with R-factors better than 0.9.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology