CONTROLLING AND QUANTIFYING LAMPENFLORA IN SHOW CAVES: A CASE STUDY FROM KARTCHNER CAVERNS STATE PARK, ARIZONA

Show caves (caves developed for tourism) around the world are frequently susceptible to colonies of phototrophic organisms known as lampenflora due to high humidity and artificial lighting. Algae is one particularly common type of lampenflora, as it thrives in the wettest areas of show caves that are frequently and heavily lit. These organisms have the potential to damage cave formations and prevent further speleothem growth as well as pose a threat to the delicate cave ecosystems. Currently, there is no agreement on which method is the most eco-friendly and efficient for treating and removing algae from show caves. As a result, this study was designed to test five different chemical and mechanical solutions (chlorine bleach, oxygen bleach, 3% hydrogen peroxide, 12% hydrogen peroxide and an industrial heat gun) on five algae populated areas throughout the tunnels of Kartchner Cavern State Park, located in southern Arizona. These methods were tested on limestone rocks as well as on a speleothem previously taken from the cavern to monitor for possible adverse effects. Following four weeks of treatments, we were able to quantify the success of algae removal for each method tested by using geographic information systems software, ArcMap. By quantifying algae removal and monitoring the effects of the solutions on limestone rocks and calcite formations, we are able to rank which methods are most efficient and least destructive for treating lampenflora in show caves.