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Chemical Weathering by Rainwater: The Burren Area (Underground features…
Chemical Weathering by Rainwater: The Burren Area
How limestone is weathered by rainwater
Carbonation (when rainwater dissolves soluble limestone)
Rainwater passes through the atmosphere, it takes in carbon dioxide and then becomes a weak carbonic acid. The acid reacts with calcium carbonate in limestone, causing the limestone to be dissolved slowly
Limestone is permable
This means that limestone allows water to pass through it. It is easy for this rainwater to pass through the many vertical joints and horizontal bedding planes in limestone
The Karst Surface
Surface consists largely of bare rock
A place where the soluble limestone is exposed at the surface
Surface features
Surface is called limestone pavement
The limestone pavement is criss-crossed by clints and grikes
Grikes are deep grooves in the pavement. they were once narrow, vertical joints, which were widened by rainwater weathering
Clints are blocks of limestone that separate the grikes
Rocky surface often takes the form of flat or gently clopping terraces separated by small but steep cliffs
Underground features
Underground rivers and seeping rainwater continues to dissolve the limestone beneath the surface
Passages
Long tunnels formed by underground water dissolving the limestone
Caves or caverns
Passage that become enlarged
Stalactities
Slender columns of calcite which hang from the cave roof
Stalagmites
Thick columns of calcite which form on the floor directly under stalactites
Pillers
When stalactites and stalagmites grow and meet each other
Attractions of the Bueren
Geographers study the limestone features
Potholers and cavers explore the underground cave system
Botanists and other naturalists examine the rare plants that grow throughout the Burren, often in the grikes of the limestone pavement
Tourists admire the unusual karst scenery
Case study: Land Use Conflict in the Burren National Park
Against
This development would give more people better access to the Burren. Many of those who oppose the Mullaghmore project are 'Burren enthusiasts' who already enjoy the area and who just want to keep it to themselves
This centre might be suitably situated in Corrofin or some other 'gateway' village of the Burren. Such villages would have the local population, car parks and other services that the centre would require. But Mullaghmore is at the very heat of the Burren National Park. it is an inspoilt place that needs conservation - not large-scale development
This area is a great botanical importance. Rare plants of Alpine and Mediterranean origins grow side by side with native varieties. The thousands of visitors would pick and trample these unique plants. They would also erode the existing small paths that run through
Expert bodies such as An Taisce and the Heritage Council expressed concern at the impact which this development might have. We should listen to these neutral organisations. They know what they are talking about and have the good of the country at heart
For
This development would give more people better access to the Burren. Many of those who oppose the Mullaghmore project are 'Burren enthusiasts' who already enjoy the area and who just want to keep it to themselves
The best place to learn about the Burren is surely at the hearth of the Burren itself. That's why Mullaghmore is the best place to build a visitors' centre
Tourists will come to the Burren area anywayand at present they just trample all over the place. The visitor centre would help to control visitors, by channelling them along set walking paths. The rangers at the new rangers' station would help make sure people do not abuse the area