The role of sulfate-rich springs and groundwater in the formation of sinkholes over gypsum in eastern England

Cooper, Anthony H.; Odling, Noelle E.; Murphy, Phillip J.; Miller, Claire; Greenwood, Christopher J.; Brown, David S.. 2013 The role of sulfate-rich springs and groundwater in the formation of sinkholes over gypsum in eastern England. In: Land, Lewis; Doctor, Daniel H; Stephenson, J.Brad, (eds.) Sinkholes and the Engineering and Environmental Impacts of Karst : Proceedings of the Thirteenth Multidisciplinary Conference May 6 through 10, 2013, Carlsbad, New Mexico. Carlsbad, New Mexico, National Cave and Karst Research Institute (NCKRI), 141-150, 10pp. (NCKRI Symposium 2).

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Abstract/Summary

Heavily karstified gypsum and dolomite aquifers occur in the Permian (Zechstein Group) of Eastern England. Here rapid active gypsum dissolution causes subsidence and abundant sinkholes affect an approximately 140-km by 3-km area from Darlington, through Ripon to Doncaster. The topography and easterly dip of the strata feed artesian water through the dolomite up into the overlying gypsum sequences. The shallow-circulating groundwater emerges as sulfate-rich springs with temperatures between 9-12 oC, many emanating from sinkholes that steam and do not freeze in the winter (such as Hell Kettles, Darlington). Water also circulates from the east through the overlying Triassic sandstone aquifer. Calcareous tufa deposits and tufa-cemented gravels also attest to the passage and escape of this groundwater. The sizes of the sinkholes, their depth and that of the associated breccia pipes is controlled by the thickness of gypsum that can dissolve and by the bulking factors associated with the collapsed rocks. The presence of sulfate-rich water affects the local potability of the supply. Groundwater abstraction locally aggravates the subsidence problems, both by active dissolution and drawdown. Furthermore, the gypsum and dolomite karstification has local implications for the installation of ground-source heat pumps. The sulfate-rich springs show where active subsidence is expected; their presence along with records of subsidence can inform planning and development of areas requiring mitigation measures.

Item Type:	Publication - Book Section
ISBN:	9780979542275
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	The papers for this conference are going to be made available by NCKRI for free download on the internet. Permission given by NCKRI for this paper to be used in NORA
Additional Keywords:	gypsum, sulfate, sulphate, groundwater, springs, karst, sinkhole, cave, subsidence
NORA Subject Terms:	Earth Sciences
Date made live:	15 May 2013 13:59 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/501929

Item Type:

Publication - Book Section

ISBN:

9780979542275

Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:

The papers for this conference are going to be made available by NCKRI for free download on the internet. Permission given by NCKRI for this paper to be used in NORA

Additional Keywords:

gypsum, sulfate, sulphate, groundwater, springs, karst, sinkhole, cave, subsidence

NORA Subject Terms:

Earth Sciences

Date made live:

15 May 2013 13:59 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/501929