Abstract
Density-driven dissolution of carbon dioxide in water is a well-known
and much described mechanism in geological sequestration of this
greenhouse gas. It is remarkable that such enhanced dissolution does not
receive much attention in karst hydrology and speleology. Models and
hypotheses on karst development are complex and consider many different
processes. We focus here on the influence of CO2 partial gas pressures
at the interface between atmosphere and karst water on the dynamics of
dissolved CO2 concentrations below the water table. Seasonal variation
of microbial soil activity and root respiration or barometric-pressure
changes cause fluctuations in CO2 partial pressures. Dependent on the
existence and strength of a karst-water background flow, fingering
regimes might be triggered causing enhanced dissolution of CO2 This
allows replenishment of CO2, and, thus, dissolutional power even deep in
the water body without the need for percolating water to transport
dissolved CO2. We present and discuss simplified and generic
experimental and computational scenarios to strengthen our claim, and we
try to give answers to: how much? and under which circumstances? The
applied numerical model solves the Navier-Stokes equation with water
density dependent on CO2 concentration and temperature. We show that
calculated CO2 mass fluxes into the water bodies are dependent on the
ratio of P\’{e}clet to Rayleigh numbers (Pe/Ra) and
show a local minimum around Pe/Ra=1, i.e. when natural and forced
convection are about equal. Concluding, we claim there is sufficient
reason to consider density-driven dissolution as a process of relevance
in karstification if circumstances are given.