Characterizing the soil is essential for knowing the nutrients available and learn about the fertility, structure and chemical activity of the sampled site. Two caves were selected for this study, Cristales and Dos/Tres Pisos Cave, located in the Cabachuelas Nature Reserve in Morovis, PR. The soil abiotic factors are necessary to determine if the cave soil is a favorable ecosystem for the cave fauna. Samples were collected in the different regions of two caves (entrance, twilight and dark zones) and then processed in the laboratory. Abiotic factors such as the soil water content (moisture), nutritional content (organic matter), acidity (pH) and mineral content has a major influence in the cave ecosystem. For the collected cave soil samples; i) the pH was measured for each sample using the EPA Method 9045D, ii) the moisture was measured by drying the soil sample, iii) the organic matter was measured by loss on ignition method and iv) the mineral content of the soil samples was determined by FTIR spectroscopy and Munsell color value analysis. Results are then analysis to verify if the caves are a favorable soil ecosystem. A favorable soil ecosystem is determined by a range of pH (4.8-7.5), moisture (30% – 80%) and nutritional content (&gt;40%). The acidity for both caves, in all regions, are favorable. On the other hand, for the majority of the regions, the moisture and nutritional content were below the necessary to be a favorable ecosystem. The mineral signature (i.e. clays, calcites, etc.) for each cave is completely different even though they are in the same geological formation. This study can help us quantify the likeliness of which caves or regions of caves are needed to be preserved in the Cabachuelas Cave system that is increasing in human impact due to an increment in tourist and educational activities.

Cave soil abiotic factors as an indicator of cave ecosystems

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.