The contribution of condensation-corrosion in the morphological evolution of caves in semi-arid regions: preliminary investigations in the Kyrenia Range, Cyprus

Cailhol, Didier; Audra, Philippe; Nehmé, Carole; Nader, Fadi H.; Garašić, Mladen; Heresanu, Vasile; Gücel, Salih; Charalambidou, Iris; Satterfield, Lauren; Cheng, Hai

doi:10.3986/ac.v48i1.6782

Cited by 11 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 22 publications

(37 reference statements)

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“…Furthermore, the geomorphological evidences of ancient speleogenesis can be partially lost because of weathering, speleothem deposition, sedimentation, collapses, human activity, etc (Sauro et al, 2019). There are processes such as condensation-corrosion, boosted by the presence of guano and/or warm and moist air circulation in caves, which are greatly underestimated in the shaping of caves Cailhol et al, 2019;Dandurand et al, 2019). These processes, instead, can be extremely important in the late speleogenetic stages, especially when cave passages become largely opened to the surface, concurrently erasing evidences coming from the deeper past.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hypogenic speleogenesis, late stage epigenic overprinting and condensation-corrosion in a complex cave system in relation to landscape evolution (Toirano, Liguria, Italy)

et al. 2021

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hypogenic speleogenesis, late stage epigenic overprinting and condensation-corrosion in a complex cave system in relation to landscape evolution (Toirano, Liguria, Italy)

et al. 2021

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“…In the last decades, numerous studies of condensation processes in caves have been published, based on their direct and indirect measurement (Auler & Smart, 2004; Cailhol et al, 2019; Calaforra et al, 1993; Cigna & Forti, 1986; De Freitas & Schmekal, 2003, 2006; Dublyansky & Dublyansky, 1998; Fairbridge, 1968; Galdenzi, 2012; Gázquez et al, 2015; Martín‐García et al, 2010; Prokofiev, 1964; Sanna et al, 2015; Sarbu & Lascu, 1997, among others). The majority of these studies focused on estimating rates of condensation corrosion (natural or visitor‐induced) or the amount of condensate accumulated in caves, in order to show their effects on cave morphology or speleogenesis or to provide explanatory models of the process itself.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Condensation water in heritage touristic caves: Isotopic and hydrochemical data and a new approach for its quantification through image analysis

Liñán

Benavente

Rosal³

et al. 2021

Hydrological Processes

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Condensation water is a major factor in the conservation of heritage caves. It can cause dissolution of the rock substrate (and the pigments of rock art drawn on it) or covering thereof with mineral components, depending on the chemical saturation degree of the condensation water. In show caves, visitors act as a source of CO 2 and thus modify the microclimate, favouring negative processes that affect the conservation of the caves. In spite of their interest, studies of the chemical composition of this type of water are scarce and not very detailed. In this work we present research on the condensation water in the Nerja Cave, one of the main heritage and tourist caves in Europe. The joint analysis of isotopic, hydrochemical, mineralogical and microbiological data and the use of image analysis have allowed us to advance in the knowledge of this risk factor for the conservation of heritage caves, and to demonstrate the usefulness of image analysis to quantify the scope of the possible corrosion condensation process that the condensation water could be producing on the bedrock, speleothem and rock art. To our knowledge, this application of image analysis (relative to the condensation water in caves) is the first one of this type that has been documented.

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“…However, this subject has received more attention recently due to a better understanding of the chemical processes involved, the mineralogical evolution of guano, and the role played by bats and their guano on post-speleogenetic cave modification due to condensation-corrosion processes [e.g. 54, 55, 56, 57, 58]. Bats and their guano may influence cave development processes in different ways (Fig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bats as ecosystem engineers in iron ore caves in the Carajás National Forest, Brazilian Amazonia

Piló

Calux²,

Scherer³

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Ecosystem engineers are organisms able to modify their environment by changing the distribution of materials and energy, with effects on biotic and abiotic ecosystem components. Several ecosystem engineers are known, but for most of them the mechanisms behind their influence are poorly known. We detail the role of bats as ecosystem engineers in iron ore caves in the Carajás National Forest, Brazilian Amazonia, an area with > 1,500 caves, some holding ∼150,000 bats. We analyzed the chemical composition of guano deposits in bat caves, radiocarbon-dated those deposits, and elucidated the chemical mechanisms involved and the role the bat guano has on structuring those caves. The insect-composed guano was rich in organic matter, with high concentrations of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus pentoxide and ferric oxide, plus potassium oxide, calcium and sulfur trioxide. Radiocarbon dating indicated guano deposits between 22,000 and 1,800 years old. The guano pH was mainly acid (from 2.1 to 5.6). Percolating waters in those bat caves were also acid (pH reaching 1.5), with the presence of phosphate, iron, calcium, nitrate and sulfate. Acid solutions due to guano decomposition and possible microbial activity produced various forms of corrosion on the caveś floor and walls, resulting in their enlargement. Caves with active or inactive bat colonies had, on average, horizontal projections 4.5 times larger, areas 4.4 times larger, and volumes 5.0 times bigger than the reginal average, plus more abundant, diversified and bigger speleothems. In an example of bioengineering, the long-term presence of bats (> 22,000 years) and the guano deposits they produce, mediated by biological and chemical interactions along millennia, resulted in very unique ecological, evolutionary and geomorphological processes, whose working are just beginning to be better understood by science. However, the current expansion of mineral activities coupled with the loosening of licensing and cave protection rules is a real conservation threat to the bat caves in Carajás. The destruction of those caves would represent and unacceptable loss of both speleological and biological heritage and we urge that, whenever they occur, bat caves and their colonies must be fully protected and left off-limits of mineral extraction.

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The contribution of condensation-corrosion in the morphological evolution of caves in semi-arid regions: preliminary investigations in the Kyrenia Range, Cyprus

Cited by 11 publications

References 22 publications

Hypogenic speleogenesis, late stage epigenic overprinting and condensation-corrosion in a complex cave system in relation to landscape evolution (Toirano, Liguria, Italy)

Hypogenic speleogenesis, late stage epigenic overprinting and condensation-corrosion in a complex cave system in relation to landscape evolution (Toirano, Liguria, Italy)

Condensation water in heritage touristic caves: Isotopic and hydrochemical data and a new approach for its quantification through image analysis

Bats as ecosystem engineers in iron ore caves in the Carajás National Forest, Brazilian Amazonia

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