This dissertation seeks to understand physical processes in submerged and dry caves in Florida. First, for submerged caves, we
prove the possibility of an upward saline water intrusion due to the Venturi effect occurring in a submerged cave's restrictions, i.e.
narrow connections between two otherwise large tunnels. A model is developed to obtain an analytical solution for estimating the saltwater
discharge through caves into freshwater aquifers. Additionally, Florida springs are examined, and the saltwater discharges due to the
Venturi effect are calculated to be between 0.02 to 0.23 m3/s, which is significant especially for the springs with a mean annual
freshwater discharge of less than 10 m3/s. Second, in an effort to develop a deeper understanding of dry caves, the microclimate of the
so-called Dragon's Tooth Cave is examined. The ventilation patterns are analyzed by using in-situ measurements of temperature, CO2, and
Radon-222. Estimated cave air renewal times vary from 2.4 days at the Entrance room to 6.6 days at the Dragon's Belly room. Next, a
theoretical model is developed that uses outside temperatures to predict ventilation rates. Combined with simple first-order CO2 and
Radon-222 mass balances, the model predicts net CO2 and Radon-222 concentrations in the cave, and shows an excellent agreement with the
measurements. / A Dissertation submitted to the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Institute in partial fulfillment of the
Doctor of Philosophy. / Fall Semester 2016. / November 8, 2016. / Dry Caves, Karst, Submerged Caves, Ventilation / Includes bibliographical references. / Nicholas Moore, Professor Co-Directing Dissertation; Ming Ye, Professor Co-Directing
Dissertation; Christopher Tam, University Representative; Markus Huettel, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_405662 |
| Contributors | Khazmutdinova, Karina (authoraut), Moore, Nicolas (professor co-directing dissertation), Ye, Ming (professor co-directing dissertation), Tam, Christopher K. W. (university representative), Huettel, Markus (committee member), Florida State University (degree granting institution), College of Arts and Sciences (degree granting college), Program in Geophysical Fluid Dynamics (degree granting departmentdgg) |
| Publisher | Florida State University, Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text |
| Format | 1 online resource (106 pages), computer, application/pdf |
| Rights | This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). The copyright in theses and dissertations completed at Florida State University is held by the students who author them. |
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