Air quality assessments: insights prehistoric caves can offer to our modern-day understanding
Abstract Air quality studies should integrate the assessments of cave environments with the conventional studies of indoor urban environments. Considering the rise of cave tourism and the insights these caves offer for subterranean studies, it is essential to apply knowledge from the air quality dyn...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Discover Environment |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44274-025-00276-w |
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| author | Grace N. Ijoma Victoria Onumanyi Khomotso Semenya |
| author_facet | Grace N. Ijoma Victoria Onumanyi Khomotso Semenya |
| author_sort | Grace N. Ijoma |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Air quality studies should integrate the assessments of cave environments with the conventional studies of indoor urban environments. Considering the rise of cave tourism and the insights these caves offer for subterranean studies, it is essential to apply knowledge from the air quality dynamics within the diverse macro-environment of cave ecosystems to progressive development of other environments. In this review, we explore how prehistoric caves, often characterized by reduced fluctuations in temperatures and isolated atmospheres, can serve as unique environments for studying air quality variations. These caves yield valuable insights into atmospheric processes that impact both the tourist experience and the sustainability of the caves themselves. We highlight recent technological advancements, such as metagenomics, which have improved the accuracy and depth of air quality studies in caves over the past decade. By reviewing key studies on cave air quality, we identify the benefits and challenges of using caves as natural laboratories, including the difficulties in accessing certain environments and the necessity for thorough chemical and microbiological analyses to gain a holistic perspective. This review emphasizes the importance of ongoing research to apply findings from cave studies to modern environmental science, particularly in developing strategies for air quality management in a changing climate. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-353f16b2e1ff4587b925dce4f806259b |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2731-9431 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Discover Environment |
| spelling | doaj-art-353f16b2e1ff4587b925dce4f806259b2025-08-20T03:22:49ZengSpringerDiscover Environment2731-94312025-06-013113310.1007/s44274-025-00276-wAir quality assessments: insights prehistoric caves can offer to our modern-day understandingGrace N. Ijoma0Victoria Onumanyi1Khomotso Semenya2Department of Environmental Science, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of South AfricaDepartment of Environmental Science, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of South AfricaDepartment of Environmental Science, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of South AfricaAbstract Air quality studies should integrate the assessments of cave environments with the conventional studies of indoor urban environments. Considering the rise of cave tourism and the insights these caves offer for subterranean studies, it is essential to apply knowledge from the air quality dynamics within the diverse macro-environment of cave ecosystems to progressive development of other environments. In this review, we explore how prehistoric caves, often characterized by reduced fluctuations in temperatures and isolated atmospheres, can serve as unique environments for studying air quality variations. These caves yield valuable insights into atmospheric processes that impact both the tourist experience and the sustainability of the caves themselves. We highlight recent technological advancements, such as metagenomics, which have improved the accuracy and depth of air quality studies in caves over the past decade. By reviewing key studies on cave air quality, we identify the benefits and challenges of using caves as natural laboratories, including the difficulties in accessing certain environments and the necessity for thorough chemical and microbiological analyses to gain a holistic perspective. This review emphasizes the importance of ongoing research to apply findings from cave studies to modern environmental science, particularly in developing strategies for air quality management in a changing climate.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44274-025-00276-wCave tourismAir ecologySpeleothemsMicroclimateCarbonationRock erosion |
| spellingShingle | Grace N. Ijoma Victoria Onumanyi Khomotso Semenya Air quality assessments: insights prehistoric caves can offer to our modern-day understanding Discover Environment Cave tourism Air ecology Speleothems Microclimate Carbonation Rock erosion |
| title | Air quality assessments: insights prehistoric caves can offer to our modern-day understanding |
| title_full | Air quality assessments: insights prehistoric caves can offer to our modern-day understanding |
| title_fullStr | Air quality assessments: insights prehistoric caves can offer to our modern-day understanding |
| title_full_unstemmed | Air quality assessments: insights prehistoric caves can offer to our modern-day understanding |
| title_short | Air quality assessments: insights prehistoric caves can offer to our modern-day understanding |
| title_sort | air quality assessments insights prehistoric caves can offer to our modern day understanding |
| topic | Cave tourism Air ecology Speleothems Microclimate Carbonation Rock erosion |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44274-025-00276-w |
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