Carbonate Critical Zone Petrology, Mineralogy, and Geochemistry in Karst Systems

Dear Colleagues,

Recent innovations involving improved analytical methods, statistical analyses, and a focus on critical zone interactions have led to novel approaches in describing carbonate geochemical processes and mineralogical reactions, deeper investigations into the utility and importance of speleothem and carbonate depositional processes as proxies of environmental change, quantification of carbon flux within karst groundwater systems, the discovery of new cave minerals, and the use of advanced analytical instrumentation and high-resolution sampling techniques (i.e., large chamber SEM, Raman spectroscopy, LA-ICPMS, and cutting-edge approaches such as advanced imaging and spectroscopic techniques, isotopic analysis, etc.) to improve geochronologic reconstructions and elemental analysis. These have pioneered new and innovative pathways to improve our understanding of complex carbonate systems and their interactions with the biosphere, hydrosphere, and as recorders of anthropogenic impacts and feedback cycles throughout geologic time at high-resolution.

This Special Issue invites contributions dealing with, but not limited to, mineralogical, geochemical, and petrological aspects of carbonate karst systems, including their formation, evolution, and secondary processes, such as speleothem precipitation, carbon flux cycles, weathering and elemental transformation mechanisms (i.e., dolomitization, redox reactions, etc.), and advances and investigations involving environmental and paleoclimate reconstruction, geochronology development using new analytical techniques, contaminant transport tracing and remediation methods, and thermodynamic and biogeochemical processes influencing carbonate deposition and dissolution.

Dr. Jason Polk
Dr. Ilenia M. D'Angeli
Guest Editors

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