Seasonal Dynamics of Gaseous CO2 Concentrations in a Karst Cave Correspond with Aqueous Concentrations in a Stagnant Water Column

Dissolved CO2 in karst water is the key driving force of karstification. Replenishment concentrations occurs by meteoric that percolates through vadose zone, where produced from microbial activity dissolved. can thus be transported with percolating or gas phase due to ventilation systems. We measured seasonally fluctuating air a cave and their influence on aqueous different depths stagnant column. The observed data were compared numerical simulations. give evidence density-driven enhanced dissolution gaseous at table for fast increase during periods high cave, whereas lower concentrations, decline limited shallow order 1 m. This significant because has not been previously considered relevant hydrology literature. Attempts reproducing modeling revealed challenges related computational demands, discretization, sensitivity processes tiny density gradients.