Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
Department
Geography and Geology
Additional Departmental Affiliation
Mathematics
Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
Climate change poses a significant global challenge, with increasing levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide as a primary driver of rising temperatures and environmental disruptions. Karst systems, such as those in South-Central Kentucky, play a role in sequestering atmospheric CO₂ through the dissolution of limestone, a process that forms unique landscapes while mitigating climate impacts. This study investigates the discharge dynamics of Cascade River in Great Onyx Cave to enhance understanding of the relationship between hydrology and carbon sequestration in karst environments. A barrel weir equipped with pressure transducers was employed to collect and measure water flow, and Torricelli’s law was used to calculate discharge under varying conditions. Python-based computational modeling enabled efficient processing of large datasets, revealing a strong correlation between rainfall patterns and discharge rates. The findings highlight the sensitivity of flow dynamics to environmental inputs and demonstrate the potential of karst landscapes as natural carbon sinks. This research establishes a framework for future studies to refine discharge measurements, integrate real-time environmental monitoring, and quantify the contribution of limestone dissolution to atmospheric carbon sequestration.
Advisor(s) or Committee Chair
Christopher Groves, Ph.D.
Disciplines
Applied Mathematics | Environmental Sciences | Geology | Hydrology
Recommended Citation
Lich, Ava, "Caves, Calculus, and Climate Change: Measuring and Modeling the Discharge of Biz Falls in Mammoth Cave National Park" (2025). Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects. Paper 1054.
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/stu_hon_theses/1054
Included in
Applied Mathematics Commons, Environmental Sciences Commons, Geology Commons, Hydrology Commons