Detection of human-induced environmental disturbances

Purpose We investígated the effects of human-induced disruption in a subterranean stable environment containing valuable Palaeolithic paíntings and engravings (Ardales Cave, Southern Spain) using a double analytical approach. Methods An environmental monitoring system was installed in the cave to record temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide (C02) and radon e22Rn) concentrations in airo In the same stations, an aerobiological sampling was conducted to quantifY the level of airborne microorganisms. Results The combinatíon of different methods allowed us to detect the extent ofhuman-induced changes, confirnüng that these can be very hazardous in certain cave areas that should be apparently outside the scope ofhuman disturbances, either by their remoteness to the visitor entrance or by beíng briefly visited. Conclusions The detection of evident anomalies in the environmental parameters and airborne mícroorganism concentration in the cave area housing the high density of A. Fernandez-Cones ' S. Cuezva' S. Sanchez-Moral Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, MNCN-CSrC, lose Gutierrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain J. C. Cañaveras Laboratorio de Petrolog¡a Aplicada, Departamento de Ciencias de la Tierra y del Medio Ambiente, Universidad de Alicante, 03080 Alicante, Spain E. Porca' V. Jurado' P. M. Martin-Sanchez' C. Saiz-Jimenez (Bl) Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiologia de Sevilla, IRNAS-CSIC, Apartado 1052, 4! 080 Sevilla, Spain e-mail: [email protected] paintings and engravings helps to control human disturbances and supports the direct applicatíon of this double approach for cave management purposes.