Seasonal ventilation patterns in Cueva Larga (Sierra de los Filabres, Almería, SE Spain))

Authors

  • Elvira Ruiz-Caballero Grupo de Recursos Hídricos y Geología Ambiental, Departamento de Biología y Geología, Universidad de Almería
  • Fernando Gázquez Grupo de Recursos Hídricos y Geología Ambiental, Departamento de Biología y Geología, Universidad de Almería - Centro Andaluz para el Cambio Global – Hermelindo Castro, Edificio CITE V, Universidad de Almería
  • Ángel Fernández-Cortés Grupo de Recursos Hídricos y Geología Ambiental, Departamento de Biología y Geología, Universidad de Almería - Centro Andaluz para el Cambio Global – Hermelindo Castro, Edificio CITE V, Universidad de Almería
  • José María Calaforra Grupo de Recursos Hídricos y Geología Ambiental, Departamento de Biología y Geología, Universidad de Almería - Centro Andaluz para el Cambio Global – Hermelindo Castro, Edificio CITE V, Universidad de Almería

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55407/geogaceta104506

Keywords:

cave monitoring, cave ventilation, radon, methane

Abstract

Speleothems are useful archives for paleoclimate reconstructions. However, environmental monitoring of cave atmosphere is necessary to understand underground ventilation dynamics, ensuring accurate interpretation of geochemical results obtained from stalagmites. This study focuses on the environmental monitoring of Cueva Larga (Sierra de los Filabres, Almería). Both the external (rainfall and temperature) and the in cave atmosphere (temperature, relative humidity, CO2, CH4 and 222Rn contents) were monitored over a one year period. The cave was highly ventilated over the monitoring period, as shown by relatively low levels of 222Rn (~ 160 Bq/m3) and CO2 (~ 490 ppm). However, we observed that intervals of less ventilation occur (222Rn up to 300 Bq/m3), coinciding with high relative humidity conditions. This is due to the low convective air circulation and the partial saturation of fractures in the cave ceiling, resulting in decreased exchange of gases with the exterior.

 

 

References

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Published

2024-12-02

How to Cite

Ruiz-Caballero, E., Gázquez, F., Fernández-Cortés, Ángel, & Calaforra, J. M. (2024). Seasonal ventilation patterns in Cueva Larga (Sierra de los Filabres, Almería, SE Spain)) . GEOGACETA, 76, 67–70. https://doi.org/10.55407/geogaceta104506

Issue

Vol. 76 (2024): July-December

Section

Artículos

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Copyright (c) 2024 Elvira Ruiz Caballero, Fernando Gázquez, Ángel Fernández-Cortés, José María Calaforra

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