• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.413-426
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• 2023

This study presents the geochemical characteristics of cave water to evaluate its origin and flow path. From June 2022 to may 2023, river water was collected at two sites (WE1 and WE2) in the Donggang River around Baengnyongdonggul Cave, and cave water was collected at four sites (WE3 to WE6) inside Baengnyongdonggul Cave. Water samples were analyzed for major dissolved components. Both river and cave waters were classified as Ca-HCO₃ type. All cave water samples were supersaturated in carbonate minerals, suggesting that carbonate minerals would precipitate within the cave. Due to differences in the source of cave water and the degree of water-rock interaction, the geochemical characteristics of water from sites where the flow of cave water is observed (WE3 and WE6) and rimstone pools (WE4 and WE5) could be clearly distinguished. The cave water at WE6 flows in from the Donggang River, then passes through WE3 and flows back out into the Donggang River. The cave water at WE4 and WE5 is supplied from precipitation, but the flow path of cave water at WE4 and WE5 is different.