50 likes | 143 Views
Losing Streams. Streams in karst areas sometimes lose large volumes of surface water through gradual loss into underground caverns. . Environmental Concerns with Karst. More Concerns. Cow manure in streams can lead directly to underground cavern systems.
E N D
Losing Streams • Streams in karst areas sometimes lose large volumes of surface water through gradual loss into underground caverns.
More Concerns • Cow manure in streams can lead directly to underground cavern systems. • Sinkholes were often used as garbage dumps that contaminate well water. • Septic tanks can fall into a sinkhole and cause major pollution damage.
Speleothems: Organisms that are specially adapted to live in caves. • Often do not have fully developed eyes. Why bother? • Can’t photosynthesize food (no sunlight). No photosynthetic organisms in caves.