ASGP (2024), vol. 94: 287–296

CHARACTERIZATION OF DETRITAL SEDIMENTS WITHIN A STALAGMITE: THEIR ORIGINS AND INFLUENCE ON STALAGMITE MORPHOLOGY

Muhsin EREN (*) & Muhammetmyrat PALVANOV

Department of Geological Engineering, Mersin University, TR-33343, Çiftlikköy, Mersin, Turkey; e-mails: m_eren@yahoo.com, fizikmuha93@gmail.com
*) Corresponding author

Eren, M. & Pavlanov, M., 2024. Characterization of detrital sediments within a stalagmite: their origins and influence on stalagmite morphology. Annales Societatis Geologorum Poloniae, 94: 287–296.

Abstract: This study examines the detrital sediments within a stalagmite from Küpeli Cave in southern Turkey, investigating their origin and role in shaping the morphology of the stalagmite. Its longitudinal section displays distinct macroscopic layering with alternating light and dark layers. The former layers mainly comprise mosaic and columnar sparite calcite, whereas the latter layers primarily consist of carbonate grains. The detrital sediments, consisting of carbonate grains, are divided into coarse- and fine-grained sediments. The coarse-grained detrital sediments with a size of 0.02 to 0.65 mm predominate and are characterized by poor sorting, including large, rounded, and red sand grains. The fine-grained detrital sediments consist of grains ≤ 10 μm and are characterized by good sorting. The detrital sediments most likely were derived from red soils in surface karst depressions and primarily contained grains with angular and etched boundaries caused by the chemical weathering of bedrock carbonates. The rounded large sand grains are thought to have entered the soil zone by wind or surface runoff before being incorporated into the stalagmite. Dripping water carried these carbonate grains into the cave, depositing them in depressions caused by solution processes at the top of the stalagmite during its formation. Under sediment displacement towards the periphery occurred within these depressions, owing to water splash action, forming slight elevations. This mechanism contributed significantly to the stalagmite’s distinctive appearance, resembling a partially burnt candle. The alternating calcite and detrital sediment layers reflect recurring climatic conditions, with the detrital sediments deposited during increased rainfall and the calcite layers formed during drier periods with minimal clastic input and increased evaporation. The fine-grained detrital sediments further indicate formation during drier periods with significantly reduced rainfall.

Manuscript received 15 November 2023, accepted 9 September 2024