Jiří Faimon

Environmentally acceptable effect of hydrogen peroxide on cave "lamp-flora", calcite speleothems and limestones.

Mosses, algae, and cyanobacteria (lamp-flora) colonize illuminated areas in show caves. This biota is commonly removed by a sodium hypochlorite solution. Because chlorine and other deleterious compounds are released into a cave environment during lamp-flora cleansing, hydrogen peroxide was tested as an alternative agent. In a multidisciplinary study conducted in the Kateinská Cave (Moravian Karst, Czech Republic), 12 algae- and cyanobacteria taxons and 19 moss taxons were detected. The threshold hydrogen peroxide concentration for the destruction of this lamp-flora was found to be 15 vol.%. Based on laboratory experiments in stirred batch reactors, the dissolution rates of limestones and calcite speleothems in water were determined as 3.77 x 10-3 and 1.81 x 10-3 mol m-2 h-1, respectively. In the 15% peroxide solution, the limestone and speleothem dissolution rates were one order of magnitude higher, 2.00 x 10-2 and 2.21 x 10-2 mol m-2 h-1, respectively. So, the peroxide solution was recognised to attack carbonates somewhat more aggressively than karst water. In order to prevent the potential corrosion of limestone and speleothems, the reaching of preliminary peroxide saturation with respect to calcite is recommended, for example, by adding of few limestone fragments into the solution at least 10 h prior to its application.

Oscillatory silicon and aluminum aqueous concentrations during experimental aluminosilicate weathering

Abstract Granodiorite, amphibolite, and feldspar samples were dissolved in acidic, neutral, and basic solutions under ambient conditions as laboratory batch experiments. Oscillations of silicon and aluminium concentrations in leaching solutions during long-term weathering of aluminosilicates have been observed. A simple kinetic nonlinear model, based on polymerization of soluble aluminosilicate, is proposed to explain the oscillatory behavior.

Relationship between carbon dioxide in Balcarka Cave and adjacent soils in the Moravian Karst region of the Czech Republic

Carbon dioxide concentration, air temperature, and humidity were monitored at (1) two cave sites and (2) three adjacent karst soils. The data over a one-year period are supported by dripwater chemistry and cave visiting frequency. The results indicate that the sources of cave CO2 are anthropogenic and epikarstic ones in addition to ordinary soils. Epikarstic CO2 produced under almost stationary conditions probably control dripwater chemistry and cave’s CO2 maxima. Based on breathing and door opening, anthropogenic activity affects instantaneous cave CO2 levels, depending on site volume/position and visitor number. A conceptual model of the CO2 dynamics of the soil-cave system is proposed. The study indicates that karst processes such as limestone dissolution and speleothem growth need not be entirely/directly controlled by external climatic conditions.

Variances in airflows during different ventilation modes in a dynamic U-shaped cave

Airflow dynamics were studied in Cisařska Cave (Moravian Karst, Czech Republic) under different seasonal conditions. The dependence of airflows on the difference between external and cave temperatures is nonlinear and roughly obeys the Darcy-Weisbach equation. The upward airflows were found to be systematically higher than the downward airflows under comparable driving forces. The principle reason is nonlinearity between air temperature and air density. U-shaped cave geometry magnifies this effect by feedback between external temperature and airflow driving forces. Whereas this feedback is positive during the upward airflow ventilation mode, it is negative during the downward airflow mode. To discuss the behavior in detail, a simplified model based on balancing the masses of two equivalent air columns of different temperatures and densities is proposed. The results contribute to a better understanding of cave microclimate evolution, cave CO2 dynamics, and speleothem growth.

Formation of Colloidal Silica and Alumina During Experimental Granodiorite Weathering

The role of aluminum and silica in the formation of colloids during granodiorite weathering was studied on the basis of long-term experiments in batch reactors. Rock samples were dissolved in un-buffered solutions of initial pH ∼ 3.2, 5.4, and 9.9 at ambient conditions for 500 days. During weathering, extremely high supersaturation with respect to various secondary solids was attained in the solutions. Consequently, new solids, part of which was conserved in solutions as colloids, condensed. The mean concentrations of colloidal Si reached values of 70, 50, and 48 μmol 1−1 in the alkaline, neutral, and acid solutions, respectively. The mean concentrations of colloidal Al, reached values of 34, 22, and 12 μmol 1−1 in the alkaline, neutral, and acid solutions, respectively. The concentration of colloids gradually decreased after 200-400 days of experiment. This phenomenon was interpreted as being due to the competition between homogeneous nucleation and crystal growth. At the initial stages of the experiments, the colloidal species (predominantly colloidal Al) comprised a large proportion of the total amounts of aqueous species. Their share, however, decreased with time. The molar Al/Si-ratios of colloids were as high as 2–2.5 at the early stages of the experiment. After 250–300 days of experiments, on the other hand, these ratios decreased to values of about 0.5 in both the neutral and alkaline solutions and to a value of 0.15 in the acid solution. The evolution of colloids was consistent with the evolution of secondary solids in the sequence Al-hydroxides – clay minerals (illite, chlorite), in both the neutral and alkaline solutions. In acid solutions, the evolution of Al/Si-colloids was influenced by the presence of sulfate ion and Al-sulfate precipitation. Besides Al and Si, other elements, in particular Ca or Mg as a major component and Na, K, P, S, and Cl as minor components, readily participated in the formation of colloids.

Modern fluvial sediment provenance and pollutant tracing: a case study from the Dřevnice River Basin (eastern Moravia, Czech Republic)

Modern fluvial sediment provenance and pollutant tracing: a case study from the Dřevnice River Basin (eastern Moravia, Czech Republic) Modern fluvial deposits of a small fluvial system were studied in the area of eastern Moravia (Czech Republic) with the aim of determining the provenance of the deposits and weathering processes. Identification of the source rocks and their alongstream variations were used for the evaluation of the natural or anthropogenic source of the heavy metals. Paleogene flysch sandstones, flysch mudstones and Quaternary loesses represent source rocks and reflect both the role of recycling and local sources. Provenance from sandstones dominate upstream whereas mudstones represent dominant source rock in the downstream part of the fluvial system. The contents of Pb and Zn are highly enhanced when compared with the natural background in the entire study area. Their anthropogenic source is connected with the rubber/shoe manufacturing industry and traffic. The contents of Cr, Co, Cu, Ni and V are usually lower in modern deposits than in the identified source rocks.

Evolution of minesoils at a coal waste pile: A case study from Rosice-Oslavany (Czech Republic)

Mine soil development at abandoned coal waste pile (Kukla-Vaclav Nosek mine, Oslavany) represents a possibility to study initial stages of pedogenetic process. Seven soil profiles were uncovered by digging pits at the base and on the slopes and top of the waste pile. Several conclusions concerning soil development at waste pile are possible on the basis of soil profiles description and basic chemistry: 1. Intensive humification was the main pedogenetic process in the initial stages of mine soil evolution at the Kukla waste pile. There is no translocation of clay minerals even in the soil profiles evolving for about 60 years; 2. The youngest soil situated on the top of the waste pile has the most stable granular aggregates. The stability of aggregates corresponds to the increased representation of the total organic matter; 3. Humus quality of the present topsoils in the Kukla waste pile is substantially influenced by the biological recultivation.

The impact of door opening on CO2 levels: A case study from the Balcarka Cave (Moravian Karst, Czech Republic)

The impact of door opening on cave carbon dioxide (CO2) levels was studied in the Entrance Chamber and the Gallery Chamber of the Balcarka Cave (Moravian Karst, Czech Republic). The effect of door opening differed with cave ventilation modes. Under upward airflow mode, the cave door opening led to the increase of output advective CO2 fluxes from the cave and to the decrease of CO2 levels. This effect was evident especially in the Entrance Chamber near the cave entrance and then suppressed in the Gallery Chamber situated deeper in the cave. Under the downward airflow mode, the cave door opening changed airflow paths and main CO2 sources/fluxes. This resulted in the increase of CO2 level in the Entrance Chamber while the levels in the Gallery Chamber decrease. Modeling indicates that the increase could be result of input advective CO2 fluxes from epikarst (up to 5.9 × 10-2 mol s-1). To reduce the impact on cave microclimate, a careful control of the visiting regime without overlapping of individual doors’ openings is recommended.

Arsenic speciation in aerosols of a respiratory therapeutic cave: A first approach to study arsenicals in ultrafine particles

Arsenic is ubiquitous in the environment and of special concern due to its varying toxicity depending on the chemical form present. Less is known about arsenic in air, especially about organoarsenicals, their sources and fate. There is also a lack of knowledge regarding arsenic in airborne nanoparticles that are critical for understanding with respect to human health effects due to their size. Here we show results from an arsenic speciation analysis in size-resolved airborne particles with aerodynamic diameters down to 15 nm. Analysis of aerosols from a respiratory therapeutic cave showed temporarily higher concentrations of trimethylarsine oxide than inorganic arsenic and substantial amounts of organoarsenicals, especially in smaller particles. Our method provides guidance for future studies investigating arsenicals in ultrafine particles and their health implications. Furthermore, the method developed can be used to widely monitor particle-bound organoarsenicals to fully understand the importance of As biovolatilization in the environment.