Methods
Summary
We completed Preliminary field work in Summer 2015 to assess the current health and sediment transport characteristics in Hidden River Cave. We collected water samples, surface sediment samples, and sediment cores. pH, temperature, total dissolved solids and conductivity were measured alongside water samples in situ. Qualitative observations and four more sediment cores were obtained in the Summer 2016 field season.
An Itrax core scanner is used to analyze sediment cores for elemental concentrations, magnetic susceptibility, radiography, and high resolution photography. We are using horizons of metal concentrations in the core to correlate sedimentation (i.e. flood) events in the cave system. We also installed dive recorders to monitor water levels, which will provide data to further understand the movement of sediment through the cave system. A general time constraint on the sediment age will be explored using the presence of microplastic in the surface samples and sediment cores, and data from radiocarbon and lead-210 dating.
Challenges
Check out this lab note for challenges of working in a cave!
Protocols
This project has not yet shared any protocols.