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Speleothem Genesis in Ohio Caverns: How Erosion of Overlying Strata Resulted in Different Speleothem Characteristics

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Speleothem Genesis in Ohio Caverns: How Erosion of Overlying Strata Resulted in Different Speleothem Characteristics Speleothem Genesis in Ohio Caverns: How Erosion of Overlying Strata Resulted in Different Speleothem Characteristics. THESIS Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Julie E. Codispoti Graduate Program in Geological Sciences The Ohio State University 2011 Master's Examination Committee: Dr. E. Scott Bair (Advisor) Dr. Lawrence Krissek Dr. Berry Lyons Copyright by Julie E. Codispoti 2011 Abstract Ohio Caverns in southern Logan and northern Champaign counties, Ohio, is highly decorated in calcitic speleothems ranging in color from rusty red to white. The cave formed in the Devonian Columbus Limestone and is believed to be more than two million years old, forming before Pleistocene ice advances. Carbon dating of sediment samples in the cave was used to determine if the sediments were deposited in the cave by glacial processes, thus bounding a minimum age of the cave. Some areas of the cave contain a red, rusty colored flowstone that covers the cave walls with a wavy water “sheeting” appearance and does not form the traditional speleothems associated with caves. Other parts of the cave contain white flowstones that have the familiar appearance of speleothems and, in places grow directly from and on the rust colored speleothems indicating a change in mineralization. This change likely occurred from chemical alterations in the overlying strata consisting of the Ohio Shale, the Columbus Limestone, and in the thickness and character of soils prior to and after glaciation. A cave entrance currently being built exposes a cross section of glacial material, Ohio Shale, and Columbus Limestone. Float and in-situ rocks as well as soil material from a fracture and two ceiling rock cores drilled in the Historical Tour path, were collected for XRD analysis to characterize the mineralogy. The results show the samples are predominantly dolomite and only a few of the minerals are iron or manganese bearing. Well log data and ii visual observation provide clues that the Ohio Shale is still present over top of the cave. Sediment collected from Overlook Hole contained very little carbon and pollen for dating and paleoclimate information. It was the goal of this work to determine if changes in overlying strata caused the color change of speleothems in Ohio Caverns. iii Dedication This document is dedicated to my mother for her unwavering kindness and to my father for his extreme work ethic and never ending tips. iv Acknowledgments This thesis would not have been possible without help from many people. Many thanks go to the employees of Ohio Caverns who took time out of their day to accompany me into the cave and answer questions. Special thanks go to Tim Grissom, manager of Ohio Caverns, who graciously worked with me in answering questions about the cave and accommodating my visits. My advisor, Dr. E. Scott Bair, who guided me through this process. My committee members, Dr. Berry Lyons and Dr. Lawrence Krissek for their help, input, and guidance. Paul Spahr who helped me with several matters at ODNR. Thomas Quick and Dr. John Senko from The University of Akron for helping me process my samples for XRD analysis and providing me with results. Dr. Greg Wiles from the College of Wooster, who lead me through sediment sample processes. Leonid Polyak from Byrd Polar Research Center for the use of his lab and microscopes. Dave Porinchu for his help with sediment samples and directing me to researchers for pollen and carbon analysis. Dr. Owen Davis from University of Arizona for processing sediment samples from Overlook Hole. Thanks to Kevin Crawford for enduring numerous trips to Ohio Caverns to help me with various aspects of my field work. Lastly, my parents, Tony and Sharon, for their never-ending love and support. v Vita September 1982 .............................................Born, North Canton, Ohio June 2001 .......................................................North Canton, Hoover High School August 2006 ..................................................B.A. Geological Sciences, The Ohio State University March 2011 ...................................................M.S. Geological Sciences, The Ohio State University Publications Grunow, Anne M., Codispoti, Julie E., Elliot, David H., 2009, The United States Polar Rock Repository: A Tool for Antarctic Peninsula Research. Geoscience Information Society Proceedings. Vol. 39, 95-98. Codispoti, Julie E, Grunow, Anne M., 2008, The Basics of Rocks and Minerals and Polar Geology. Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears: An Online Magazine for k-5 Teachers. Issue 6, September 2008. Available at http://beyondpenguins.nsdl.org/. Professional Learning. Science Content Knowledge. Grunow, Anne M., Elliot, David H., and Codispoti, Julie E., 2008, The United States Polar Rock Repository: A Geological Resource for the Earth Science Community. U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2007-1047, SRP 068, Alan Cooper, Carol Raymond, and the 10th ISAES Editorial Team, in "Antarctica: A Keystone in a Changing World, Online Proceedings for the 10th International Symposium on Antarctic Earth Sciences". Fields of Study Major Field: Geological Sciences vi Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgments............................................................................................................... v Vita ..................................................................................................................................... vi Publications ........................................................................................................................ vi Fields of Study ................................................................................................................... vi Table of Contents .............................................................................................................. vii List of Figures .................................................................................................................... ix Chapter 1 ............................................................................................................................. 1 Introduction to the Problem ................................................................................................ 1 Ohio Caverns History and Description ........................................................................... 1 Significance of the Research – Purpose and Scope....................................................... 10 Previous Studies ............................................................................................................ 11 Statement of Hypotheses ............................................................................................... 14 Chapter 2 ........................................................................................................................... 17 Background Information ................................................................................................... 17 Rock Formations of Ohio .............................................................................................. 17 General Cave Formation ............................................................................................... 20 Ohio‟s Geologic History ............................................................................................... 22 Pre-Pleistocene .......................................................................................................... 24 The Pleistocene .......................................................................................................... 27 Chapter 3 ........................................................................................................................... 35 Hypotheses Testing ........................................................................................................... 35 Overlying Material .................................................................................................... 35 vii Recovered Sediment .................................................................................................. 36 Chapter 4 ........................................................................................................................... 42 Analytical Procedures and Results.................................................................................... 42 Overlying Material .................................................................................................... 42 The Ohio Shale .......................................................................................................... 47 Recovered Sediment .................................................................................................. 49 Chapter 5 ........................................................................................................................... 56 Interpretations ................................................................................................................... 56 Overlying Material .................................................................................................... 56 The Ohio Shale .......................................................................................................... 66 Recovered Sediment .................................................................................................
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