A case study of anthropogenic impact on the CO2 levels in low-volume profile of the Balcarka Cave (Moravian Karst, Czech Republic)

Lang, Marek; Faimon, Jiřı́; Ek, Camille

doi:10.3986/ac.v44i1.917

Cited by 13 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…2 c, 3 c, and 4 c). All these values correspond to the expected levels of CO 2 measured in BC (Lang et al 2015a , b ; Lang et al 2017a ) and VC (Lang et al 2017b ) and are also roughly consistent with values from other European caves (see, e.g., Baldini et al 2006 ; Liñán et al 2008 ; Lario and Soler 2010 ). In addition to the effect of molecular diffusion and water degassing, natural CO 2 levels in the chambers are controlled by advective CO 2 fluxes (Lang et al 2017c ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Impact of water exhaled out by visitors in show caves: a case study from the Moravian Karst (Czech Republic)

Lang,

Faimon,

Pracný

et al. 2024

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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The anthropogenic impact of the water and CO2 exhaled by visitors was studied in the show caves of the Moravian Karst (Czech Republic), especially in the Balcarka and Výpustek Caves. Two alternative models based on (1) the known/presumed composition of the breathed air and physical activity of visitors and (2) the detailed monitoring microclimatic data were proposed. The CO2 fluxes of 2.4 × 10−4 and (2.0–3.9) × 10−4 mol person−1 s−1 and the water vapor fluxes of (3.2–8.9) × 10−3 and (0.6–1.2) × 10−2 g person−1 s−1 were found for a slightly increased physical load. The total attendance and cave tour duration were the main driving factors. For the available data on attendance and accessibility periods, the total mass of water vapor exhaled by visitors in all show caves in the Moravian Karst was estimated between 9.6 × 106 and 4.3 × 108 g with significant seasonality. According to the geochemical model, this mass of water is capable of dissolving 1280 to 59,038 g of calcite, assuming a mean winter and summer CO2 concentration in the cave air of 1000 and 3000 ppmv. The larger extent of water condensation can lead to the so-called condensation corrosion, whereas the lower extent of condensation probably causes a recrystallization of calcite on the surface of speleothems and rocks.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Impact of water exhaled out by visitors in show caves: a case study from the Moravian Karst (Czech Republic)

Lang,

Faimon,

Pracný

et al. 2024

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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“…Since density is primarily a function of temperature, cave airflows are mostly related to the temperature difference between external and cave atmospheres, ΔT = T exterior -T cave (where T exterior is external air temperature and T cave is cave air temperature [°C]) (Baker & Genty, 1998;Bourges et al, 2001;Spötl et al, 2005;Faimon et al, 2012a;Faimon & Lang, 2013 al., 2012a for details). Based on Lang et al (2015b), the hypothetical natural airflow into the Balcarka Cave reaches up to 3.2 × 10 -3 m 3 s -1 . Based on case measurements in the cave, the natural CO 2 levels are well known for winter seasons when the cave is out of visiting regime.…”

Section: Site Of Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In cave environment, such phenomena could be associated especially with temporary anthropogenic interventions into the cave microclimate. As an example, Lang et al (2015b) recently presented the study of the visitor movement in low-profile passages that affect cave ventilation and disturb or even make inverse the CO 2 level evolution. Another similar phenomenon is linked to door opening.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of door opening on CO2 levels: A case study from the Balcarka Cave (Moravian Karst, Czech Republic)

Lang¹,

Faimon²,

Kejíková³

2017

IJS

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Abstract:The impact of door opening on cave carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) levels was studied in the Entrance Chamber and the Gallery Chamber of the Balcarka Cave (Moravian Karst, Czech Republic). The effect of door opening differed with cave ventilation modes. Under upward airflow mode, the cave door opening led to the increase of output advective CO 2 fluxes from the cave and to the decrease of CO 2 levels. This effect was evident especially in the Entrance Chamber near the cave entrance and then suppressed in the Gallery Chamber situated deeper in the cave. Under the downward airflow mode, the cave door opening changed airflow paths and main CO 2 sources/fluxes. This resulted in the increase of CO 2 level in the Entrance Chamber while the levels in the Gallery Chamber decrease. Modeling indicates that the increase could be result of input advective CO 2 fluxes from epikarst (up to 5.9 × 10 -2 mol s -1 ). To reduce the impact on cave microclimate, a careful control of the visiting regime without overlapping of individual doors' openings is recommended. cave chamber, CO 2 levels, cave ventilation, door opening, advective CO 2 flux

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“…through spores) of allochthonous species (Chiesi 2002 ; Russell and MacLean 2008 ; Smith et al 2013 ). All of these processes are able to affect the reactions at the interface between atmosphere, lithological substrate, water film and microbial community, that in turn controls most ecosystem processes (Pulido-Bosch et al 1997 ; Chiesi 2002 ; Calaforra et al 2003 ; Milanolo and Gabrovšek 2009 ; de Freitas 2010 ; Lang et al 2015a , b ; Carrasco et al 2016 ; De Vincenzi et al 2016 ; Howarth 2019; Addesso et al 2022 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Underground Ecosystem Conservation Through High-resolution Air Monitoring

Addesso

Bellino

Baldantoni

2022

Environmental Management

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In cave ecosystems tourists represent moving sources of discontinuous disturbances, able to induce transient system responses whose knowledge is crucial in defining appropriate conservation measures. Here we propose an approach to evaluate the amplitude and scales of cave alterations based on high-resolution air monitoring, through the use of purposely developed low-cost monitoring stations and a consistent analytical framework for information retrieval based on time series analysis. In particular, monitoring stations adopt a modular structure based on physical computing platforms acquiring data through several sensors, with means of preventing humidity damages and guaranteeing their continuous operation. Data are then analyzed using wavelet periodograms and cross-periodograms to extract the scales of tourism-induced alterations. The approach has been exemplified in the Pertosa-Auletta Cave, one of the most important underground environments in Southern Italy, highlighting the development of monitoring stations and the information obtainable with the proposed analytical workflow. Here, 2 monitoring stations acquiring data for 1 year at 1′ sampling time on temperature, relative humidity, CO2, VOCs, and particulate matter were deployed in trails subjected to different levels of tourism. In terms of Pertosa-Auletta Cave air dynamics, the approach allowed estimating the temporal and spatial scales of tourism-induced alterations in the order of minutes and meters, respectively, with parameter-dependent variations. On more general terms, the approach proved reliable and effective, with its modularity and low-cost fostering its straightforward adoption in other underground ecosystems, where it can support the development of tailored management strategies.

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A case study of anthropogenic impact on the CO2 levels in low-volume profile of the Balcarka Cave (Moravian Karst, Czech Republic)

Cited by 13 publications

References 25 publications

Impact of water exhaled out by visitors in show caves: a case study from the Moravian Karst (Czech Republic)

Impact of water exhaled out by visitors in show caves: a case study from the Moravian Karst (Czech Republic)

The impact of door opening on CO2 levels: A case study from the Balcarka Cave (Moravian Karst, Czech Republic)

Underground Ecosystem Conservation Through High-resolution Air Monitoring

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