ABSTRACT
In carbonate areas, the dissolution of rocks is the main process that determines the hydrochemical character of groundwater, leading especially to high concentrations of Ca2+, Mg2+ and HCO3
−. Extensive karstification causes considerable landscape modification (e.g. ground breaks, sinkholes) even being harmful to humans if karst features appear in urban areas. This chapter focuses on the question if and how anthropogenic influences on (ground) waters affect their ability to dissolve carbonate minerals and rocks, by either accelerating or retarding the reaction. Short-and long term dissolution experiments have been used to test the solubility of two almost pure carbonate rocks in different water types. Results indicate slight differences in the ability of the different water types to dissolve carbonate minerals although exact effects and determining factors are not easy to quantify.
