Coronavirus pandemic: An opportunity to study the anthropogenic impact on micro-climate conditions and CaCO3 crystal morphology in the Nerja Cave (SE Spain)

Liñán, Cristina; Cisneros, C. Jiménez de; Benavente, J.; Vadillo, Iñaki; Rosal, Yolanda del; Ojeda, Lucía

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163693

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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Section: Air Temperature Monitoringmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This difference is attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in decreased visitation in 2020. Additionally, at Nerja Cave (Spain), closure of the cave during COVID-19 provided a unique opportunity to study the micro-climate conditions and carbonate precipitation without the presence of visitors [18]. In general, the air T at BS1 has more stable values over a year than at BS2, which is closer to the cave entrance and is more strongly influenced by cold winter air and warm In general, the air T at BS1 has more stable values over a year than at BS2, which is closer to the cave entrance and is more strongly influenced by cold winter air and warm summer air from outside.…”

Section: Air Temperature Monitoringmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Attenuating Anthropogenic Impact on Subterranean Micro-Climate: Insights from the Biospeleological Station in Postojna Cave

Šebela,

Novak

2024

Geosciences

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The Biospeleological Station (BS) in Postojna Cave, with a volume of 36,000 m3, has served as an underground biological laboratory since 1931, receiving 100,000 visitors annually. Historical cave micro-climate monitoring was performed in 1933 and 1963, and continuous monitoring of cave air temperature and carbon dioxide concentration at hourly intervals started in 2015. Micro-climatic data collected between 2015 and 2024 has helped us to understand the relationship between natural underground environment and anthropogenic impact, thereby aiding expert recommendations to cave managers for the mitigation of anthropogenic micro-climatic effects. Results strongly support the policy that, during summer, when outdoor temperatures are higher than in the cave, solid metal doors connecting the BS with the rest of the cave (Stara Jama) should be kept open. Such a simple mitigation act helps to decrease anthropogenically increased air temperature and carbon dioxide concentrations, thereby maintaining suitable micro-climatic conditions for the exhibition of cave animals. Closure during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2021) resulted in the lowest temperatures recorded. BS visitation increases air temperature by 1 °C, highlighting the need for management strategies to maintain suitable conditions for cave fauna exhibition.

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Section: Air Temperature Monitoringmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Air Temperature Monitoringmentioning

confidence: 99%