Hydrogeochemical Features of Karst Development under Current Conditions

Abstract—Karst is regarded as a geological and physicochemical process of interaction between the natural water and soluble rock. Its development is possible only under non-equilibrium conditions in the “groundwater–congruently soluble rock” system. It is shown that intense karst development, leading to the formation of underground cavities and passages, is possible in the presence of advective transport of dissolved substance, which can redistribute its considerable amounts in a relatively short time. The specific features of karst development are considered in the case of its manifestation in carbonate, sulfate, and chloride rocks.