Organic pollution of an inland marine cave from Bermuda

Iliffe, Thomas M.; Jickells, Timothy D.; Brewer, Martin

doi:10.1016/0141-1136(84)90002-3

Cited by 27 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 7 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…11). Anoxic conditions occur when long residence times restrict oxygen replenishment, excessive organic matter loading increases the biochemical oxygen demand, or some combination of both (Iliffe et al, 1984). When nitrate from natural or anthropogenic sources is present, denitrification heterotrophically degrades organic matter using nitrate as the terminal electron acceptor.…”

Section: Anchialine Cave Biogeochemical Modelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The biogeochemistry of anchialine caves: progress and possibilities

Pohlman

2011

Hydrobiologia

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Recent investigations of anchialine caves and sinkholes have identified complex food webs dependent on detrital and, in some cases, chemosynthetically produced organic matter. Chemosynthetic microbes in anchialine systems obtain energy from reduced compounds produced during organic matter degradation (e.g., sulfide, ammonium, and methane), similar to what occurs in deep ocean cold seeps and mud volcanoes, but distinct from dominant processes operating at hydrothermal vents and sulfurous mineral caves where the primary energy source is mantle derived. This review includes case studies from both anchialine and non-anchialine habitats, where evidence for in situ chemosynthetic production of organic matter and its subsequent transfer to higher trophic level metazoans is documented. The energy sources and pathways identified are synthesized to develop conceptual models for elemental cycles and energy cascades that occur within oligotrophic and eutrophic anchialine caves. Strategies and techniques for testing the hypothesis of chemosynthesis as an active process in anchialine caves are also suggested.

show abstract

Section: Anchialine Cave Biogeochemical Modelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The biogeochemistry of anchialine caves: progress and possibilities

Pohlman

2011

Hydrobiologia

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The unique processes and characteristics of anchialine caves (distribution, biogeochemistry and habitat stratification, chemosynthetic food-webs) and their biodiversity make them important communities to conserve in face of current anthropogenic threats (Myers et al, 2000;Iliffe, 2002;Porter, 2007;Mercado-Salas et al, 2013). Unfortunately, anchialine caves are often found in conflict with the impacts of anthropogenic forces such as tourism-driven habitat loss, pollution by sewage, overexploitation of aquifers, climate change, and others (Iliffe et al, 1984;Sket, 1999;Iliffe, 2002). The distribution of these coastal caves in 'desirable' locations in the tropics often places them at a considerable disadvantage (Iliffe, 2002).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Life in the Underworld: Anchialine cave biology in the era of speleogenomics

Pérez‐Moreno

Iliffe²,

Bracken‐Grissom³

2016

IJS

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract:Anchialine caves contain haline bodies of water with underground connections to the ocean and limited exposure to open air. Despite being found on islands and peninsular coastlines around the world, the isolation of anchialine systems has facilitated the evolution of high levels of endemism among their inhabitants. The unique characteristics of anchialine caves and of their predominantly crustacean biodiversity nominate them as particularly interesting study subjects for evolutionary biology. However, there is presently a distinct scarcity of modern molecular methods being employed in the study of anchialine cave ecosystems. The use of current and emerging molecular techniques, e.g., next-generation sequencing (NGS), bestows an exceptional opportunity to answer a variety of long-standing questions pertaining to the realms of speciation, biogeography, population genetics, and evolution, as well as the emergence of extraordinary morphological and physiological adaptations to these unique environments. The integration of NGS methodologies with traditional taxonomic and ecological methods will help elucidate the unique characteristics and evolutionary history of anchialine cave fauna, and thus the significance of their conservation in face of current and future anthropogenic threats. Here we review previous contributions to our understanding of anchialine biodiversity and evolution, and discuss the potential of "speleogenomic" methods for future research in these threatened systems.

show abstract

“…Injection of wastewater or sewage into the groundwater is a primary concern. Dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in groundwater are inherently low due to the absence of photosynthesis in the aphotic subterranean environment and isolation from atmospheric exchange (Iliffe et al 1984a). Increasing the input of organic material stimulates bacterial productivity and respiration, further depleting DO and producing zones of anoxia spreading out from the source of contamination.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Increasing the input of organic material stimulates bacterial productivity and respiration, further depleting DO and producing zones of anoxia spreading out from the source of contamination. For example, Iliffe et al (1984a) investigated Government Quarry Cave, an anchialine cave in Bermuda, to assess the damage caused by such organic pollution. Domestic wastes dumped into the cave pool caused widespread anoxia, eradication of the macrofauna and high accumulations of nutrients.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A stable isotope study of organic cycling and the ecology of an anchialine cave ecosystem

Jw¹,

Iliffe²,

La³

1997

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

112

116

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

ABSTRACT. Stable carbon and nltrogen isotope data, complen~ented wlth other geochemical parameters, were used to Identify the sources of organic mattrr that support the food web of an anchialine cave ecosystem In the northeastern Yucatan Peninsula, Mexlco. A n c h~a l~n e caves, coinmon along tropical kal-st~c and volcan~c coastlines, are completely or partially Inundated by highly stratified layers of fresh and marine waters. Stable isotope data from the cave fauna, the particulate organlc matter (POM) from the cenote pool and from the cave, the forest soil and the cave sedlmcnts ~ndicated that at least 3 soul-ces of nutritive organics could support the anchialine food web. Thcsr sources were. (1) soil from the overlying forest; (2) freshwater algae from adjoining open water pools; and (3) chernoautotrophic nitrifying bactei-la living in the cave. Production of nitrate a n d a tlccrcasc in O2 along the halocline provided geochemlcal evidence of nitrification. Stable nitrogen isotope datd defined 2 to 2.5 trophic levels In the food web. Furthermore, it was found that troglobitic (cave-limited) species res~ding In the water column a r e cilpable of preferentially feeding on specific organic reservoirs. This study presents the first extensive description of the ecological and biogeochemical relationships of the anchialine cave ecosystem.

show abstract

Organic pollution of an inland marine cave from Bermuda

Abstract: ABSTRACT

Cited by 27 publications

References 7 publications

The biogeochemistry of anchialine caves: progress and possibilities

The biogeochemistry of anchialine caves: progress and possibilities

Life in the Underworld: Anchialine cave biology in the era of speleogenomics

A stable isotope study of organic cycling and the ecology of an anchialine cave ecosystem

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About