• Recession coefficients on drip and cave stream hydrographs, using hydrograph
recession analysis
• Saturation indices of specific minerals in cave dripwater, using geochemical data
More detailed presentation and interpretation of these datasets are included in
two graduate theses [21, 22]. The reader may consult these sources to learn more
about current findings at James Cave. Presentation of selected datasets with brief
interpretation is presented below.
6.2 Dripwater Hydrology
Based on recurring patterns in the drip dataset (Fig. 9), Eagle [21] divided the drip
record into three hydrologic seasons: (1) a dry period during which there is no
response to precipitation events and the discharge is at or near zero; (2) a subsequent recharge period characterized by high drip rates and responses to precipitation events; and (3) a recession period during which drip rates decline with no
response to precipitation events until reaching base flow, marking the onset of the
next dry period. Eagle [21] also examined the changes in the start and duration of
the hydrologic seasons, dividing the record into hydrologic years (HY) beginning
with the start of dry period, typically early October. For example, HY2010 refers to
the period October 2009–September 2010.
Over the period of record at James Cave, the onset of the dry period was the most
consistent seasonal marker, occurring in late September to early October and
followed by a dry season lasting 1–6 months. The recharge season has started in
December (HY2010, 2012), January (HY2009, 2013), February (HY2008), and
March (HY2011). The duration of the recharge season ranged from 2 (HY2008) to
6 months (HY2009, 2012). The recession period generally began in late spring to
early summer and lasts from 3 to 5 months before onset of the next dry period and
start of the next hydrologic year.
6.3 Dripwater Geochemistry
6.3.1 Specific Conductance of Dripwater
The specific conductance dataset is essentially a high-resolution time series record
of total solute concentrations in dripwater (Fig. 10). These patterns show significant
variation over the period of record with short-term perturbations and longer-term
(multiple month) trends. For example, MS3 has consistently higher conductivity,
while MS1 and MS2 generally have similar and lower conductivity values. Worth
noting are three prominent patterns: (1) the decline in conductivity in the fall of
both 2011 and 2012, (2) the increase (more prominent at MS3) from spring to
Instrumenting Caves to Collect Hydrologic and Geochemical Data: Case Study. . .
227
recession analysis
• Saturation indices of specific minerals in cave dripwater, using geochemical data
More detailed presentation and interpretation of these datasets are included in
two graduate theses [21, 22]. The reader may consult these sources to learn more
about current findings at James Cave. Presentation of selected datasets with brief
interpretation is presented below.
6.2 Dripwater Hydrology
Based on recurring patterns in the drip dataset (Fig. 9), Eagle [21] divided the drip
record into three hydrologic seasons: (1) a dry period during which there is no
response to precipitation events and the discharge is at or near zero; (2) a subsequent recharge period characterized by high drip rates and responses to precipitation events; and (3) a recession period during which drip rates decline with no
response to precipitation events until reaching base flow, marking the onset of the
next dry period. Eagle [21] also examined the changes in the start and duration of
the hydrologic seasons, dividing the record into hydrologic years (HY) beginning
with the start of dry period, typically early October. For example, HY2010 refers to
the period October 2009–September 2010.
Over the period of record at James Cave, the onset of the dry period was the most
consistent seasonal marker, occurring in late September to early October and
followed by a dry season lasting 1–6 months. The recharge season has started in
December (HY2010, 2012), January (HY2009, 2013), February (HY2008), and
March (HY2011). The duration of the recharge season ranged from 2 (HY2008) to
6 months (HY2009, 2012). The recession period generally began in late spring to
early summer and lasts from 3 to 5 months before onset of the next dry period and
start of the next hydrologic year.
6.3 Dripwater Geochemistry
6.3.1 Specific Conductance of Dripwater
The specific conductance dataset is essentially a high-resolution time series record
of total solute concentrations in dripwater (Fig. 10). These patterns show significant
variation over the period of record with short-term perturbations and longer-term
(multiple month) trends. For example, MS3 has consistently higher conductivity,
while MS1 and MS2 generally have similar and lower conductivity values. Worth
noting are three prominent patterns: (1) the decline in conductivity in the fall of
both 2011 and 2012, (2) the increase (more prominent at MS3) from spring to
Instrumenting Caves to Collect Hydrologic and Geochemical Data: Case Study. . .
227