Cave aerosol in Císařská and Sloup-Šošůvka Caves (Moravian Karst, Czech Republic)
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2011 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Slovenský kras (Acta Carsologica Slovaca) |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Geochemistry |
| Keywords | aerosol; atmosphere; cave; composition; concentration; morphology; outdoor; particle; season |
| Description | Both the cave and outdoor aerosols are polydispersive consisting of (1) irregular particles, (2) ultra-fine spherical particles and (3) aggregates of the particles. Ca, Si, and Al dominate in the large particles of both the cave and external aerosols. In addition, Fe appears sporadically among dominant elements in aerosol of the Sloup-Šošůvka Caves. Metals (Zn > Cu > Pb), chlorine, and sulfur appear in minor/trace concentrations. Carbon and oxygen is dominant in ultra-fine particles. The particle stoichiometry indicates (i) carbonates/silicates in cave aerosol, (ii) silicates/gypsum in outdoor aerosol, and (iii) organic matter (debris of microorganisms, spores, and pollens) in both aerosol types. Particles formed by condensation reactions (e.g., the reaction of gaseous sulfur oxides with calcite/plagioclase or reaction of aquatic Ca and carbonate ions) probably contribute to the aerosol. In winter, total weight concentrations of the cave aerosol exceeded the outdoor aerosol concentrations. In summer, cave aerosol concentrations were at their minimum, while outdoor aerosol concentrations were near maximum. In contrast, the concentrations of ultra-fine particles are roughly the same in all environments, at their minimum in summer and at their maximum in winter. Our results indicate that actual cave aerosol is a complex mix of dominant outdoor aerosol and minor cave native aerosol. Only little difference between cave aerosol and external aerosol questions a special role of cave aerosols as a significant speleotherapeutic factor. |
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