Acta Montanistica Slovaca (Sep 2003)
The Environment Specialities in the Ochtinska Aragonite Cave
Abstract
The Ochtinska Aragonite Cave became well-known due to its unique decoration created by fruticose-like aggregates of crystalline aragonite. The cave is located in the cadastral territory of the village of Ochtiná on the west side of the Hrádok Mt. that belongs to the Slovenské Rudohorie Mts. During the opening season the cave is frequented. In the last period, an increased amount of CO2 has been detected in air of the Ochtinska aragonite cave. The cave environment is created by caverns - relicts after mouldered ankerites and siderites in surroundings of Palaeozoic slates, limestones and dolomites. The residual ochre loams were created by weathering of carbonates. Probably, these processes held up till now and this fact may also result in the liberation of CO2. From the viewpoint of the enhanced CO2 content, the earths and waters occurred in the cave were found as its possible source. An enhanced CO2 content was also measured in old air-proof closed mine workings, with a possibility of rot processes of old organic mine working components. Probably, has the rich attendance of the cave during the season the highest influence on the enhanced CO2 content. The measurements of CO2 content have pointed to its different values in various periods. In the period without visits, the CO2 content in the cave exceeds that in the external surrounding air by 3-4 times, i. e. 310 330 ppm. In the period of visits, it is 8 10 times. Thus, the CO2 content in the cave depends on the number of visits. Up till now, no influence of the CO2 content variation on the unique karstic forms and the health status of the cave staff was not proven.