Karst is a geomorphological topic focused on landscapes developed predominantly in soluble rocks, such as limestone, dolomite, and gypsum, through dissolution processes. It encompasses the study of characteristic landforms and hydrologic systems including sinkholes, caves, blind valleys, disappearing streams, and underground drainage networks. Research in karst examines chemical weathering reactions (primarily carbonate dissolution by slightly acidic water), mass transfer in the critical zone, conduit versus diffuse groundwater flow, and vulnerabilities to contamination due to rapid infiltration. Karst studies integrate hydrogeology, geochemistry, and structural geology to understand aquifer behavior, solute transport, and the evolution of subsurface and surface morphologies.
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