NCKMS - Abstracts Page

1.  THE FLORIDA AQUIFER VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT (FAVA) MODEL: A TOOL FOR AQUIFER PROTECTION IN KARST SETTTINGS

ARTHUR, Jonathan D., CICHON, James R., BAKER, Alan E., WOOD, H. Alex, and RUDIN, Andrew R., Florida Geological Survey, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 903 W. Tennessee St., Tallahassee, FL 32304-7700, jonathan.arthur@dep.state.fl.us

Ground-water resources within Florida's aquifer systems, as in many other karst hydrogeologic settings, are vulnerable to contamination due to the relatively open flow structure in carbonate rocks. This flow structure ranges from intergranular flow to conduit flow, as well as perforations in confining layers due to sinkholes. In these complex hydrogeologic settings, models used in ground-water resource protection should reflect the dynamic and "dual porosity" nature of this flow system. Aquifer recharge and aquifer vulnerability models often serve as the scientific basis for land-use planning decisions. Commonly used for this purpose, DRASTIC is an expert-driven index model developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Water Well Association. Although DRASTIC may be suitable for many hydrogeologic settings, it does not include a component critical to the understanding of aquifer vulnerability in Florida - karst.

The Florida Geological Survey is currently developing a geographic information system (GIS) - based model to estimate relative vulnerability within Florida's aquifer systems. Development of this model, the Florida Aquifer Vulnerability Assessment (FAVA), is underway and five pilot counties have been completed with guidance from a multi-agency advisory committee. The overall intent of FAVA is to develop a tool for environmental, regulatory and planning professionals to facilitate the protection of Florida's ground-water resources. The model is based on a geostatistical method, Weights of Evidence, which quantifies relationships between spatial data layers and water quality parameters to predict vulnerability. For development of data layers in the FAVA model, a new, highly resolved statewide land-surface elevation model has been developed. From this surface model, two coverages are being created: a topographic depression coverage to reflect proximity to karst features, and a depth to water coverage, which is calculated relative to physiographic province. FAVA also utilizes a statewide soil drainage coverage and a newly developed thickness of confinement coverage. If statistics in the model justify the need, the head difference between the surficial and Floridan aquifer systems will also be included for confined aquifer models.

Adaptability of the FAVA model allows for refinement to reflect "local-scale" datasets such as cave maps/conduits, lineaments, sinkhole types, and other hydrogeologic data. Incorporation of these datasets into the FAVA model can significantly enhance its application as a predictive tool at the local scale, such as within a spring recharge area (springshed).

Biographical Sketch for Jonathan D. Arthur

Jon Arthur is a licensed Professional Geologist and graduate of Florida State University, where he received his B.S./honors and Ph.D. degrees in geology. His professional memberships include the Geological Society of America, Southeastern Geological Society, International Association of Hydrogeologists and the Hydrogeology Consortium. Jon is currently the President of the Florida Association of Professional Geologists. He began working at the Florida Geological Survey (FGS) as a staff geologist in 1987 and currently supervises the Florida Department of Environmental Protection - FGS Hydrogeology Program. Jon's research focus includes hydrogeology and geochemistry. Current projects involve water-rock interaction during aquifer storage and recovery activities, regional hydrogeologic framework mapping, and modeling aquifer vulnerability. Devoted to environmental stewardship, Jon is also active in geology education and outreach. He is producer of the video curriculum, Florida's Geology Unearthed, which introduces students and public television audiences to Florida geology.

2.  Investigation of Salinity Increases in Sulphur Spring, Tampa, Florida

Michael Garman, Sherry Garman, Jika Hyniova, and Jakub Rehacek

Subsurface Evaluations, Inc. 8010 Woodland Center Blvd., Suite 100, Tampa, FL 33614

Coastal Karst Foundation, Tampa, FL www.coastalkarst.org

Sulphur Spring is located along the Hillsborough River in an urban area of Tampa, Florida. Survey and water quality data were collected from the spring cave system as part of salinity control investigation. The study was initiated because the City of Tampa uses the spring as an emergency water source. When the spring is pumped for water supply, the hydraulic head of the system is drawn down and the chloride concentration of the spring discharge increases. Therefore, water can only be pumped from the spring intermittently.

Survey data show that 25% of the surveyed passages in the cave system have a height to width ratio greater than 1 compared to less than 10% for typical phreatic caves in Florida. In fact, the median height to width ratio of the Sulphur Spring cave system is 0.64 compared to 0.33 for typical phreatic caves, suggesting some fracture controlled passage development.

Water quality data show the water in the system is well mixed. The only change in water quality occurs at a penetration of 2800 feet where the passage splits into the Orchid Tunnel and the Alaska Tunnel. The Alaska Tunnel has higher temperature, lower pH, and higher salinity than the Orchid Tunnel. Based on salinity of the two flows, about 70 to 80% of the flow is from the Orchid Tunnel and 20 to 30% is from the Alaska Tunnel. The Alaska Tunnel appears to be the source of the majority of the saltwater and, therefore, chloride entering the cave system.

3.  "THROUGH THE ROOF" MONITORING WATER QUALITY IN MANATEE SPRINGS

GREENHALGH, Thomas H, III., Florida Geological Survey, FDEP, 903 W. Tennessee St., Tallahassee, FL 32304-7700, phone 850/488-4191, tom.greenhalgh@dep.state.fl.us

Manatee Springs is a first magnitude spring near the City of Chiefland in Levy County, Florida and the centerpiece of Manatee Springs State Park. In April of 2001, a local mining company initiated the process of obtaining permits to mine 160 acres on its property that is adjacent to the state park and a high density subdivision. Significant local opposition to the mine mounted including public protests and rallies that were covered by the media.

In its permit application, the mining company utilized a map of Manatee Springs cave system generated in the 1980s. Subsequent exploration of the cave system had identified conduits branching to the north and east toward the proposed mine site, however, most of these conduits do not allow divers to penetrate into the aquifer system very far. The exception is the "Blue Water Tunnel" named because it remains clear when other conduits in the cave system are not. A serious sand restriction had precluded further mapping of this conduit using back-mounted tanks, however, cave divers utilizing side-mounted tanks pushed the restriction and added several hundred feet to the survey. This new survey data indicated the conduit trends to the northeast toward the proposed mine site which contains a large karst feature.

Upon receipt of the additional cave survey data, the Park management coordinated with the cave diving community to have water quality samples obtained from Manatee Springs and the conduits providing flow to the spring. In August of 2001, twelve cave divers obtained water samples from nine locations within the cave system. These samples were analyzed by the Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Chemistry Lab for the following parameters- pH, temperature, conductivity, turbidity (NTU) and nitrate/nitrite (nitrate). Subsequently, in April of 2002, the Suwannee River Water Management District collected water samples from the conduits and split them with the United States Geological Survey (USGS). In addition to standard parameters, isotopic analyses are being performed by the USGS on these samples.

The data obtained from the sampling of the cave conduit system indicates significant differences in water quality in the individual contributing conduits. Nitrate concentrations in the Blue Water Tunnel were found to be nearly four times greater than those in other conduits in the cave system. These data and the potential to gain insight into the flow dynamics of the cave system including possibly being able to identify sub-basins within Manatee Springs' springshed supported the installation of monitoring wells into the conduits contributing flow to the spring. Another factor considered in the installation of the conduit monitoring wells was the expense, logistics as well as the potential danger to cave divers in obtaining frequent samples from the various conduits.

In April of 2003, the land surface locations for monitoring wells that would intersect the conduits- Sewer Tunnel, Blue Water Tunnel and the Main Tunnel were obtained utilizing cave divers and radio location techniques. By the end of May 2003, the Florida Geological Survey completed the drilling and monitoring well installation into the three conduits.

Water quality probes, sampling tubes and flow meters have been purchased for each of the conduit monitoring wells and are to be installed in the near future. Once in place, real-time water quality and flow information can be obtained continuously.

Tom Greenhalgh is a Professional Geologist with the Florida Geological Survey's Hydrogeology Program where he focuses on springs research. He obtained a B.S. in Geology from Florida State in 1984 and began a career in environmental consulting conducting contamination assessments at petroleum and hazardous waste sites. In 1988, he began working for the Department of Environmental Regulation in Petroleum Reimbursement and a year later moved to the Petroleum Cleanup. In 1991, joined the Pesticides Section where he performed ground water environmental fates studies on pesticides known and/or suspected to contaminate ground and surface water and served on the Pesticide Registration and Evaluation Committee. In 1997, he was transferred to the Bureau of Watershed Assessment to work on Total Maximum Daily Loads where he focused on the nitrate contamination in the Suwannee River Basin.

Outside of work, he enjoys outdoor activities including hunting, fishing, and diving for artifacts. In addition, he is a weekend farmer and is working diligently to restore native longleaf habitat on the family's farm in Suwannee County, Florida.

4.  RESULTS OF SAMPLING FOR SELECTED WASTEWATER CONSTITUENTS IN GROUND WATER IN THE SILVER SPRINGS BASIN, NORTH-CENTRAL FLORIDA

PHELPS, G.G., U.S. Geological Survey, 224 W. Central Pkwy, Suite 1006, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, tgphelps@usgs.gov

During January-July 2002, 35 wells in the Silver Springs ground-water basin, north-central Florida, and 3 vents of Silver Springs were sampled for a suite of compounds commonly found in wastewater. Of the 67 compounds analyzed, 38 were detected, nearly all in very low concentrations. The most frequently detected compound was the insecticide DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide), which was evident in 27 wells and all three spring samples. Estimated concentrations of DEET ranged from about 0.03 to 5.8 micrograms per liter. Other commonly detected compounds were phenol (evident in 24 wells and 2 spring samples in concentrations ranging from 0.3 to 1.4 micrograms per liter) and bisphenol A (evident in 10 wells in concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 4.4 micrograms per liter).

DEET was developed by the U.S. Army in 1946 for direct application to the skin to repel, rather than kill, mosquitoes. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has determined that DEET is in Toxicity Category III (slightly toxic, the second lowest of four categories). DEET enters the wastewater when the user bathes. The chemical is of low solubility and does not break down easily; thus, DEET appears to be a useful tracer for the presence of re-used water. In a karst area, such as the Silver Springs ground-water basin, the presence of DEET in numerous ground-water samples is indicative of the widespread recharge characteristic of karst areas. The presence of DEET also may result from the use of septic tanks throughout much of the basin.

The geology surrounding the wells seemed to affect the presence or absence of DEET in the water samples; land-use type generally did not affect the occurrence of DEET. Of the 35 wells sampled, nine were in the outcrop area of the Ocala Limestone, the principle water-bearing unit of the Upper Floridan aquifer. DEET was detected in all nine samples. The estimated concentrations ranged from 0.7 micrograms per liter to 0.2 micrograms per liter. Of the 35 samples, DEET was not detected in eight samples, all of which were in areas where the Ocala Limestone is covered by younger sediments. Samples in which DEET was not detected were collected in the following land use types: low density residential, commercial, crops and nurseries, tree plantations and other upland forests. The highest DEET concentration was from a well in a commercial urban area where the Ocala Limestone is overlain by sediments of the Hawthorn Group. Local sinkholes may breach the Hawthorn Group confining unit, allowing surface water to recharge the aquifer in the immediate vicinity of the well sampled.

Only one or two compounds were detected in most of the wells and spring vents sampled; however, several compounds were detected in two wells. In downtown Ocala, water from one well contained DEET (5.8 micrograms per liter) and 19 other compounds including caffeine (0.14 micrograms per liter). Caffeine breaks down quickly and is considered an indicator of relatively recent recharge by wastewater. The concentration of cholesterol, a fecal indicator, was 5.2 micrograms per liter. Phenol was detected at a concentration of 6.3 micrograms per liter and the concentration of bisphenol A was 4.4 micrograms per liter. Another well, located at a site formerly used as a pasture but surrounded by residential areas, contained 3 fecal indicators: 3beta-coprostanol (2.4 micrograms per liter); cholesterol (7.2 micrograms per liter); and an estimated detection of 3-methyl-1(H)-indole (0.23 micrograms per liter). The concentration of nonylphenol, diethoxy- (total; NPEO2), a nonionic detergent metabolite and a known endocrine disrupter, was estimated at 2.7 micrograms per liter. The concentration of DEET in this sample was estimated at only 0.4 micrograms per liter.

Key words: Silver Springs, karst, wastewater, DEET

5.  Florida Spring Glossary and Classification System
Compiled by Rick Copeland

In the spring of 2002, a number of Florida's hydrogeologists met in Ocala and discussed the significance and importance of protecting Florida's springs from contamination related to man's landuse activities. Many of the participants argued that in order to efficiently protect Florida's springs, a firm understanding of them is critical. It was decided that a glossary of spring terms should be developed. The Florida Geological Survey (FGS) assumed the lead role in its development. The FGS organized a Spring Nomenclature Committee made up of representatives of governmental agencies, the state university system, hydrogeologists from around the state and private citizens. The glossary consists of the most commonly used spring terms, along with their synonyms. Whenever possible, existing terminology was taken from professional dictionaries and glossaries. It is anticipated that the glossary will enable both the scientific community and the public to use a set of standardized terms. During the development stage of the glossary, it became apparent that a spring classification system should also be developed. This newly developed classification system is a model that enables one to envision the relationship of one spring to the others within the state. As it turns out, all of Florida's springs can be grouped into only a handful of different classes. This was fortunate in that it greatly reduces the complexity in the way we think of our springs.

 

6.  MANAGEMENT CONTROVERSIES AT OREGON CAVES NATIONAL MONUMENT

William R. Halliday
Founder and Honorary Member, Cascade Grotto of the National Speleological Society
6530 Cornwall Court
Nashville, TN 37205
bnawrh@webtv.net

Jay Swofford
Founder and Director, Friends of Oregon Caves
5060 NW Kahneeta Drive
Portland, OR 97229
jayswof@yahoo.com

Bios:
William R. Halliday is NSS Honorary Member for 1955 and served intermittently on the NSS Board of Governors for 51 years. He has published innumerable books, papers and maps, including the first geological report and the first modern map of Oregon Cave. As an especially influential member of the Governor's Committee on the North Cascades, he had key roles in the creation of the North Cascades National Park and also Glacier Peak Wilderness Area and Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. He is widely considered the prototype for Ed Abbey's Doc Sarvis.

Jay Swofford guided at Oregon Caves National Monument for many years and knows the cave intimately. He now is Director of Friends of Oregon Caves, and maintains its website including the largest known research library on the cave.

The 1909 proclamation of a national monument to protect "the unusual scientific interest and importance" of the so-called Marble Halls of Oregon was the result of a misunderstanding; in southern Oregon and in California, marble caves now are known to be common. Oregon Cave is not "a natural feature so extraordinary or unique as to be of national interest and importance" and should never have become part of the National Park System. Its 1934 transfer from the US Forest Service to the National Park Service was an irresponsible political action; the National Park Service was not prepared to accept responsibility for its protection. The cave never has been managed as a scientific resource as directed by President Taft in 1909. Until 1934 the monument was administered as a recreational area, primarily for the benefit of the people of southwestern Oregon. The National Park Service did not implement a management strategy until the tour route and most of the rest of the cave were damaged beyond reasonable expectations of restoration. It retains value as a show cave, however. Its management should be returned to the US Forest Service for resumption of its pre-1934 management strategy with off-trail areas designated as Research Areas to protect possible biological and known paleontological resources not yet inventoried. The transfer should be by Executive Order. The name Oregon Caves National Monument should be retained.

7.  Restoring Impacted Cave Ecosystems
Timpanogos Cave National Monument
by Jon Jasper

Developing a lighted, paved trail to accommodate over 80,000 people/year has significantly impacted Timpanogos Caves ecosystem. Several projects have been started this year to study and remediate these impacts. New cave gates are being installed to improve animal passage and restore natural air flows. Invertebrate and microbe inventories are being performed to characterize the species native to pristine cave environments. Water quality and air temperature are being monitored to record changes from management activities. Trail drainages are being modified to minimize the amount of sediment introduced into the cave by visitors and employees. Surveys of bat remains and pack rat middens are being conducted to reconstruct the undisturbed conditions. These projects should minimize the impacts from the trails development and high visitation.

 

8.  Proactive Cave Management on the Hoosier National Forest

Julian J. Lewis, J. Lewis & Associates, Biological Consulting

Kelle Reynolds, Karst Coordinator and Wildlife Biologist, Hoosier National
Forest

The Hoosier National Forest encompasses a significant part of the karst of southern Indiana. Over 130 caves have been found on National Forest Service lands including the Lost River Cave System (17 miles of mapped passages) and Gory Hole (deepest pit in Indiana). Many caves have been given enhanced conservation status due to their location within designated forest service special areas or designated wilderness areas. Examples are Dillon Cave (Grease Gravy Special Area), Gypsy Bill Allen Cave (Gypsy Bill Allen Special Area), Gory Hole (Tincher Karst Special Area), Lost River Cave System (Wesley Chapel Special Area) or Patton Cave (Charles Deam Wilderness Area). Proactive management involves a detailed understanding of the caves with documentation of the complex resources involved. Through cooperation with the Indiana Karst Conservancy caves and karst features are being inventoried and mapped. A detailed bioinventory of caves on the Hoosier National Forest is being conducted and is providing a data-intensive basis for cave management plans. As a result of the cave bioinventory over 60 species have been placed on the Region 9 Regional Forester List of Sensitive Species. For each of these species a detailed conservation assessment is prepared as well as an assessment of the habitat and community in which it occurs. These assessments include a list of the caves from which each species is known, habitat requirements, analysis of threats, conservation actions currently being taken and provisions for the management of the species and their unique habitats.

9.  Inventorying Cave Features Using ESRI ArcPad Software
Timpanogos Cave National Monument
by Jon Jasper

Many locations of findings, project activities, and research in the caves have been lost due to a lack of a good system for organizing spatial data. Using a georeferenced map of the Timpanogos Cave System, significant features throughout the cave such as electrical wiring, historic artifacts, rare formations, and monitoring stations will be mapped and inputted in the field using ESRI ArcPad software and a Pocket PC iPaq. This inventory will be organized so that spatial relations can be studied, data can be quickly found through hotlinks, and management activities can documented.

 

10. A Comprehensive Cave Management Program at Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Dale L. Pate, Supervisory Physical Scientist, Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Brief Biographical Sketch

Dale L. Pate began his caving career in 1970 as a student at Southwest Texas State University and became the Cave Specialist for Carlsbad Caverns National Park beginning in July 1991. He has continued in that position through the present. Duties for the position include direct involvement with park management concerning Carlsbad Cavern and supervision of all entry into Lechuguilla Cave. The direction of his paper is a summation of the cave management program that has evolved at the park.

Abstract

Carlsbad Caverns National Park in southern New Mexico contains some of the world's most spectacular, yet fragile, cave resources. The cave management program that has evolved at the park strives to balance protection, preservation, and conservation of these non-renewable resources with access at varying levels for recreational and educational values, and scientific research and management needs. The tour routes in Carlsbad Cavern with a yearly average of 500,000 visitors and the management of Lechuguilla Cave with its current length of over 110 miles (177 kilometers) are examples of the different management challenges faced by the park. This paper will present a look at the current programs that help achieve the balance mentioned above.

11. THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING DUPLICATE RECORDS

Jerry L. Trout, National Coordinator / Cave Resources

As more and more individuals and/or groups become involved in cave management as employees, volunteers, researchers, etc., it has become increasingly important to maintain an accurate accounting of information accumulated in cave files and to have duplicate files at a different location. It is well known that often the greatest impacts to cave resources are activities such as surveying, photography, inventory and various types of research. Meticulous record keeping and a system that safeguards such information must be established in order to minimize duplication of efforts to collect data for cave files. History has shown that a duplicate set of files is often the best insurance against having to redo information and data collection.

12. Gray Bat Trends in Missouri: Gated vs. Ungated Caves

William R. Elliott
Missouri Department of Conservation
Resource Science Division
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180
elliow@mdc.state.mo.us or bill.elliott@mdc.gov
573/751-4115 ext 3194

I have reviewed over twenty-five years of census data on gray bats, Myotis grisescens, from Missouri's Natural Heritage Database and Cave Life Database. The data were taken in numerous caves, both gated and ungated. Examination of the census data and information on cave structure, type of management, type of gate and other factors shows that cave gates are not always needed to protect this species. However, a proper cave gate often is needed if there is no vigilant owner or manager living nearby, and the cave is vulnerable to unauthorized intruders. Vulnerability arises from different factors, but public ownership is an important one. I shall present several case histories and graphs to illustrate typical and extreme situations for maternity colonies. A summary graph will also be presented. Despite my findings, we utilize the latest cave gating techniques to protect important, vulnerable gray bat caves. That is why Missouri now has the first and second largest cave gates at Rocheport (Boone) Cave and Great Spirit Cave, respectively. A Missouri Cave Gate Working Group is being established to bring together cave owners, state and federal agencies, cavers and conservationists who can work together on cave protection issues and funding.

Biography
Dr. William R. ("Bill") Elliott has been the cave biologist for the Missouri Department of Conservation since1998. His duties include research, conservation, management, education and recreation in 220 caves owned by the Department, and cooperative work with cavers and cave owners of all types. His published studies have included cave biogeography, invertebrates, fishes, salamanders, bats, karst land management, and bad-air caves. He developed the Cave Life Database in Missouri, which is adaptable to other states. His photographs of cave life appear in his international web site, Biospeleology, at http:www.utexas.edu/depts/tnhc/.www/biospeleology
In his spare time he flies sport airplanes, photographs, describes new species of millipedes, travels, hikes, and canoes.

13. QUANTITATIVE REAL-TIME PCR ASSAYS OF BACTERIAL DNA IN SEDIMENTS OF THE FLINT-MAMMOTH CAVE SYSTEM WITH EVIDENCE FOR NITROSPIRA SPP. AT SITES UNDERGOING LIMESTONE DISSOLUTION AND KARST AQUIFER EVOLUTION

RICK FOWLER, ELI ROBERSON, AND SHIVENDRA SAHI BIOTECHNOLOGY CENTER, DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY, WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY, BOWLING GREEN, KY 42101

Quantitative Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR) is used to compare the densities of eubacterial 16S rDNA in sediments from the Flint-Mammoth Cave System while DNA sequence information and restriction fragment biomarkers demonstrate the presence of Nitrospira spp. in bacterial communities. Thirteen samples were collected from sites with a range of hydrologic conditions and compared with respect to nanograms of DNA per gram of sediment by amplification of environmental DNA relative to E. coli genomic DNA with universal primers for eubacterial 16S rDNA. Saturated clastic stream sediments where the process of limestone dissolution and cavern enlargement processes were active displayed high DNA levels with the associated presence of a eubacterial clone closely related to Nitrospira spp. Two sediment samples from an inactive and dry cave environment were assayed and shown to contain 45 ppm nitrate, but were negative for detectible bacterial DNA. It is concluded that Nitrospira spp. are associated with bacterial communities in actively evolving karst aquifers and may contribute to cavern enlargement by consumption of carbonate minerals as chemolithoautotrophs in the absence of other carbon sources in the cave environment. Also, nitrates in dry sediment do not appear to be attributable to active bacterial nitrification.

Biographical sketch of presenting author:

Rick Fowler was trained in chemistry and biology before attending graduate school at the University of Tennessee. He received a Master's Degree in Biomedical Science while employed as a research associate in the Biology Division of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and later pursued doctoral studies in environmental toxicology while working as a research associate at the Center for Environmental Biotechnology. Currently he is Laboratory Coordinator in the Biotechnology Center at Western Kentucky University and is assembling a multidisciplinary team to arrive at applied solutions for cave and karst management and environmental monitoring using the tools of biotechnology. He has 13 publications covering a variety of topics in biotechnology, and he has managed core labs in industry, academia, medical schools, and hospitals. He is a member of the National Speleological Society and the Cave Research Foundation.

14. Mercury and methylmercury in karst ecosystems and its potential effects on vulnerable biota

Kurt Lewis Helf, Ph.D.
Long-Term Ecological Monitoring Program
Division of Science and Resources Management
Mammoth Cave National Park

Toxicity and bioaccumulation studies of mercury (Hg), the most toxic nonessential heavy metal, on karst ecosystems are virtually nonexistent. Available data suggest organisms at higher trophic levels generally biomagnify Hg at a similar rate and, once it is stored in their tissue, excrete it very slowly. Further, biota with a slow metabolism and long life span likely bioaccumulate high levels of Hg. The data presented here are studies of other nonessential heavy metals taken from extensive literature searches. Bats are vulnerable to Hg bioaccumulation because they are mobile and generally consume 40-100% of their body mass in prey each night. Bats that feed heavily on emerging aquatic insects (e.g., Trichoptera), which spend their larval stages in contaminated sediments, are particularly susceptible to biomagnification of Hg. Bats exposed to cadmium have been found with damage to their heart, kidneys, and lungs. Another study indicated cadmium concentration was higher in a troglobitic (i.e., obligate cave-dwelling) crayfish (i.e., Orconectes australis australis) than in a troglophilic (i.e., facultative cave-dwelling) crayfish (i.e., Cambarus tenebrosus). The authors also attributed significantly higher (p<.05) concentration of nonessential metals in almost all O. a. australis tissues, relative to C. tenebrosus, to its increased longevity. A vigorous research program on the toxicity and bioaccumulation of Hg would enable wildlife managers to better predict the effects of future increases in Hg deposition on vulnerable biota.

15. Development of an Index of Biological Integrity for Endangered Species Monitoring in Southern Illinois

Julian J. Lewis
Salisa Taylor Rafail
J. Lewis & Associates,
Biological Consulting

Diane Tecic
Regional Heritage Biologist,
Illinois Department of Natural Resources

The Illinois cave amphipod, Gammarus acherondytes, is known only from caves in the karst of Monroe County in southwestern Illinois. Extirpated from the one cave where the amphipod was formerly found in adjacent St. Clair County and apparently declining across the rest of its narrow range, in 1999 the Illinois cave amphipod was added to the U.S. Endangered Species List. A yearly census of caves in all groundwater basins in which the Illinois cave amphipod remains is sponsored by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to monitor the species. The census data is being analyzed in a number of ways, including the development of an index of biological integrity (IBI) for cave stream invertebrates. The IBI is a biomonitoring protocol that was first published in 1981 using data on fish to characterize the degree of human impact on surface streams. The variables (metrics) in the IBI were chosen as indicators of the level of impact. The protocol has been modified to adjust for regional differences and other kinds of aquatic communities. In the Mammoth Cave area an IBI was developed by Thomas Poulson and William Pearson primarily using metrics concerning cavefish and cave crayfish. Neither of these organisms is present in Illinois caves, thus presenting a challenge in creating metrics that use data primarily concerned with amphipods, isopods, snails or flatworms. A preliminary IBI for cave communities in southwestern Illinois incorporating data for 10 metrics has been constructed and is undergoing testing.


16. Philip L. Moss and Thomas Aley, Ozark Underground Laboratory, Mapping Presumptive Habitat for Subterranean Aquatic Species of Concern in Management of Karst Areas.

Generally, populations of species of concern are located by direct observation or capture. This is a severe limitation when dealing with cavernicoles, since a very small percentage of potential habitat is accessible to investigators. The Ozark Underground Laboratory is promoting the concept of presumptive habitat; that is all groundwater that has subsurface hydrological interconnections should be presumed to contain the aquatic species of concern that are found in accessible parts of the groundwater system and that the entire groundwater system be managed accordingly. Groundwater tracing using fluorescent dyes is a powerful, empirical tool for delineating groundwater basins and demonstrating hydrological interconnections between groundwater basins. The recharge are boundaries representing known and presumptive habitat are important tools for biological analysis and conservation management. Dye traces help evaluate tested portions of the groundwater system; dye passes readily only through relatively open conduits; a significant requirement for most aquatic cavernicoles. Aquatic cavernicoles can generally move against the hydraulic gradient and cross drainage divides under more variable flow conditions than does tracer dye. The migration of fauna against the hydraulic gradient permits more gene flow than may be suggested by dye tracing.

17. The Foraging Range of a Central Texas Cave Cricket, Ceuthophilus secretus (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae).

Steven J. Taylor1, Jean K. Krejca2, & Michael L. Denight3

1Center for Biodiversity, Illinois Natural History Survey, Champaign, Illinois 61820
2Zara Environmental LLC, 708 Elliott Ranch Road, Buda, Texas 78610
3U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Champaign, Illinois 61822

We documented the nocturnal foraging range of the cave cricket Ceuthophilus secretus (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae) at a cave in Coryell County, Texas. During 17 nights between 8 May and 10 July, 2003 we marked more than 1000 emerging crickets at the cave entrance with UV-bright paint. Using battery powered ultraviolet lights, we searched the area around the cave logging our search path with a GPS receiver. Over the course of this study, 291 marked crickets were located. Preliminary analyses show that the crickets were found at 38.5 meters from the cave on the average, with distances varying from 2.3 meters up to 105.7 meters. Ninety percent of the crickets were found within 72 meters of the cave entrance. Crickets were active from about 9 pm to at least 3 am. Ceuthophilus secretus is important in central Texas cave communities because it brings significant energy into the cave through its' surface forays. On the surface, the Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA), Solenopsis invicta, is an important introduced predator. Possible interactions (competition and/or predation) between cave crickets and RIFA could, therefore, have significant impacts on cave communities. Thus, the foraging range of the cricket has significance for land managers who may wish to control RIFA populations around caves that contain federally endangered terrestrial cave invertebrates.

18. Going for the Gold Award: Girl Scouts, Cavers, and Government. Working Together for Cave and Karst Sourcewater Protection

Joseph H. (Joey) Fagan
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
Division of Natural Heritage Karst Program
jfagan@dcr.state.va.us

Jessica E. Fagan
Berea College, Kentucky

Biography
Joey Fagan started caving in 1966 in Virginia. He works as a Karst Protection Specialist for the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation Division of Natural Heritage Karst Program. Joey currently serves as the Secretary of the Virginia Cave Board. He is one of the founding members of the Blue Ridge Grotto, a member and Conservation Chair of the VPI Cave Club, and active in the Virginia Region of the NSS. He was VAR Conservation Chair and Secretary/Treasurer during the 70's as well as a past Director of the Cave Conservancy of the Virginias and of the Virginia Speleological Survey. He serves as the Caving Coordinator for the Girl Scouts of the Virginia Skyline Council Adventurers Program and is on the NSS Youth Group Liaison Committee. Joey has been a member of the NSS for more than 35 years and became a Fellow of the Society in 2003.

Good things can happen when diverse groups of people work together. This is one example. The Girl Scouts of the Virginia Skyline Council Adventurers have provided many opportunities to educate young people and the public about the importance of cave conservation and karst sourcewater protection. Involvement with the Adventurers began with a few Girl Scout Caving Trips led by the author with assistance from members of the VPI Cave Club. Presentation of a strong safety and conservation message and basic information on cave science was a major element of every trip. Over the years, as the program's reputation gradually became established, opportunities to spread the word about karst-related environmental issues presented themselves. Occasional feature stories in area newspapers provided an excellent venue to inform the public about why karst sourcewater protection and cave conservation are essential. The scout trips continued at a rate of two or three trips per year. The aim was to allow small groups of motivated young people to learn about and experience caves without appreciably increasing the number of new cavers. One particularly enjoyable media experience was a project to produce a piece on the Adventurers Caving Program for the National Geographic Today Show. The National Geographic Television segment delivered a strong cave conservation message to a national audience. A recent project to clean out a trash dump from Nellies Cave in Blacksburg, Virginia involved cooperation between girl scouts, members of the Virginia Region of the NSS, local and state government agencies and the news media.

19. NATIONAL CAVE AND KARST RESEARCH INSTITUTE 2003:
WORKING THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS TOWARDS AMERICA'S FUTURE

Louise D. Hose
National Cave and Karst Research Institute-National Park Service, 1400 University Drive, Carlsbad, NM 88220 USA LHose@cemrc.org

Penny Boston
National Cave and Karst Research Institute-New Mexico Institute of Mines and Technology, Socorro, NM 87801USA

Congressional legislation directed the National Park Service (NPS) to establish the National Cave and Karst Research Institute in the Carlsbad, New Mexico, area to facilitate speleological research, enhance public education, and promote environmentally sound cave and karst management. The legislation further requires that the NPS jointly administer the Institute with a public or private agency, organization, or institution.

The Institute has a national, even international, mission. Currently, Institute funding comes from two sources: The National Park Service and the State of New Mexico. As the Institute must at least equally match federal funds with non-federal funds, an important issue for the success of the Institute is establishing an extended network of non-federal funding sources, which might include non-federal grants, partnership initiatives, fee-based services, product sales, and public donations.

Determining the exact functions and organizational structure of the Institute within these requirements constitutes a major component of the current Gearing Up phase. The Institute staff has made major strides in extending the base of participants in this effort over the last six months, involving major academic, government, and non-profit organizations and several national laboratories nationwide. The goal remains to develop a broad coalition of diverse cave- and karst-related partners working together towards improving our national understanding and stewardship of these sensitive terrains.


20 . Creative Partnerships for Water Quality Protection in Karst Areas
 Author:  Kriste Lindberg, 2354 Windingbrook Circle, Bloomington, Indiana, 47401, (812) 339-7210, cell phone (812) 327-1642, lindberg@kiva.net

Biography:  Kriste Lindberg has been an active member of the caving community since 1992, mainly in the fields of conservation, education, and interagency cooperation, having been introduced to it while working with the Chicago Academy of Sciences after receiving a BGS and MSEd in natural resources. She has served on the Indiana Karst Conservancy board as a Director, Secretary, and President, is currently a Director and Chairs the Education and Outreach Committee, which she created. She is employed by both the City of Bloomington’s Parks and Recreation and Utilities Departments as an Education Specialist, has recently been appointed by the Mayor to serve on Bloomington’s Environmental Commission, and has done numerous articles and presentations for cave-related venues, including the NCKMS 1999, 2001. In 2002, she received the NSS Conservation Award and was honored as Fellow of the NSS. In 2003, she was elected to the board of Project Underground.

 Abstract:  Partnerships are helpful, if not essential, for karst protection. As the use of such areas is on the rise, particularly in the way of development, increased efforts need to be made to protect it. This can pose a challenge, mainly as those involved may see things differently. However, steps can be taken to help bridge the gap. Education is a valuable tool in this endeavor as it has the potential to assist parties in reaching understandings without feeling threatened. Thus, increasing cooperation, decreasing duplication of effort, and inviting camaraderie. For example, Lindberg has brought many together for their mutual benefit by presenting them with the knowledge they need to understand karst areas and how and why it is important to work together for its, and their, protection. She has found that working with them has produced positive results. Serving as a liaison between area agencies, land trusts, planners, developers, the public, etc., she has helped them see how karst areas function – just because their features may be out of sight, they should not be out of mind. In the City of Bloomington, Indiana, efforts are being made to help all understand the way karst fits into daily life. For example, inter-related programs involving natural (karst) and man-made (storm drain) drainage systems have been developed and are being implemented. They include initiatives with Hoosier Riverwatch, Project Underground, storm drain marking programs, and so on. Viewers will learn not only what is being done but also how to go about doing it.

21. Successful Karst Protection Depends on Education

Authors: Carol Zokaites and Wil Orndorff
Address: Carol Zokaites, DCR Karst Program Office, 7502 Lee Highway, 2nd Floor, Radford, VA 24141
540-831-4057, czokaites@dcr.state.va.us

Biography: Carol Zokaites started caving in 1973 while attending Virginia Tech. She participated in many cave mapping and conservation projects. She has helped create several karst publications including "Living On Karst," educational materials for the IMAX film, "Journey into Amazing Caves," and the guidebook for the 1995 NSS Convention "Underground in the Appalachians." Carol is a Fellow of the NSS and has received the NSS Conservation Award. She is now the National Coordinator of Project Underground and Karst Education Coordinator for the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.

By the early 1990's, it became apparent that Virginia needed to protect its karst landscape. Twenty-seven Virginia counties depend heavily on karst aquifers for water supply. Industrial, agribusiness, and rural residential development were placing increasing stress on karst aquifers already impacted by traditional agricultural land use. The problem was convincing government agencies and local citizens of the need for karst groundwater protection. Education proved to be the solution. This paper examines the many ways education has furthered the cause of karst protection in Virginia. Educational materials from government agencies and the caving community have increased citizen awareness of Virginia's karst resources. The Cave Conservancy of the Virginias produced the widely distributed book Living on Karst, which explains basic karst science in layman terms and makes a strong case for karst protection. The Virginia-based Project Underground curriculum brought karst issues into primary and secondary school classrooms, as well as to environmental educators at museums, state parks, and soil and water conservation districts. The bench-scale karst groundwater model, produced by the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, is a visual tool that demonstrates surface water and groundwater interactions in karst. Numerous Virginia agencies and non-profit organizations now use this model. Numerous presentations and workshops have helped planning district commissions, local governments and state and federal agencies create new standards and ordinances protecting karst watersheds. Ten years ago most citizens in Virginia's limestone regions had never heard the word karst. Today, awareness of karst is widespread, and stakeholders are taking concrete steps toward karst protection.

Poster sessions

The Western Kentucky University Source Water Protection Program: Educating Water Resource Managers and the Public about the Vulnerability of Rural Karst Drinking Water Supplies

Elizabeth Robb, Chris Groves, John All, and Pat Kambesis
Hoffman Environmental Research Institute, Center for Water Resource Studies
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY 42101

Since 1998, the Western Kentucky University Technical Assistance Center for Water Quality, with funding from the US Environmental Protection Agency, has been working to provide technical, managerial, and financial assistance to rural drinking water providers in Kentucky. To improve public health within Kentucky, the Center's Source Water Protection Program assists water providers, their customers, and other local stakeholders with an approach that assumes that better the quality of source water when it reaches the treatment plant, the easier and cheaper is to treat.

The roughly 50% of Kentucky underlain by karst aquifers present special challenges as these waters are especially vulnerable to contamination by rural land use, including bacteria, pesticides, and nutrients. Since land use is closely tied to groundwater quality in these areas, education about the functions of such systems can be a powerful tool for protecting vulnerable drinking water sources. A major component of this program provides education to landowners, local government officials, utility managers, citizens groups, and the public about source water issues.

This poster describes educational tools we are developing, with the module Impact of Karst on Source Water Protection as an example. Similar to other modules in the program, this has been designed as a workshop, but also includes printed materials and a website for wider dissemination. Subsections of the module include Concepts of Source Water Protection, Karst Landscapes and Aquifers, Karst Related Environmental Problems, Best Management Practices for Source Water Protection in Karst, GIS in Source Water Protection, and Partnerships for Source Water Protection.

A Systems Approach for the Understanding of Agricultural Contaminant Sources and Transport within a Karst Groundwater Drainage Basin

Patricia Kambesis
Hoffman Enivornmental Research Institute
Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY

The sources and transport of pesticides, nitrates and bacterial contaminants in an Iowa karst groundwater basin will be determined using isotopic analysis, antibiotic resistance analysis, and general water quality testing, coupled with a detailed evaluation of the extent and land use of the recharge area, and surface and groundwater movement in the basin. The basin under study is a shallow karst aquifer in an agricultural area of northeastern Iowa and southern Minnesota. Previous analyses of water quality results have shown that both surface streams and groundwater within the basin contain anomalously high concentrations of nitrates, waste-related bacteria, and pesticides. The high nitrates imply that sources other than soil organic matter have contributed nitrates to the shallow karst aquifer. High fecal coliform levels suggest an influx of waste products from humans and/or livestock and/or wildlife. Pesticide levels in the study area fluctuate seasonally and are a reflection of seasonal application on row crops. Water quality testing conducted during normal and high flow conditions indicates that contaminant movement through the basin is rapid and temporary degradation of water quality is significant after storm events. In order to address these problems of contamination of karst aquifers, a systems approach is required in which the function of the aquifer and its relationship to the recharge area, and the sources of contamination, are considered separately and as integrated parts of a karst groundwater study. The development of effective management practices to preserve water quality, and remediation plans for areas that are already polluted, requires identification of the actual sources of contaminants and understanding of the processes affecting local contaminant concentrations. In particular, a better understanding of hydrologic flow paths and solute sources is required to determine the impact of contaminants on karst groundwater basins.

Survey of Microbial Diversity within Wind Cave Using DNA Analysis, Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota

Rolland E. Moore
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, Kentucky

Microbiology is one of the newest frontiers in cave research. Cave bacteria have been shown to influence primary speleogenesis by raising carbon content and producing higher acid levels in streambed. Also they precipitate or influence the formation of secondary mineral deposits. The major problem in studying cave bacteria is that they evolve and live in inter dependant communities and most often cannot survive alone. This is a problem for traditional microbiologist because they need to isolate and culture individual bacteria to be able to study them. Using DNA analysis techniques allows us to study bacteria that cannot be cultured in addition to making possible new types of analysis. Currently there is a need for a broader background database before specific research can be meaningfully conducted or reliable. Genetic fingerprinting is ideal for creating this background database because it is economical for use on a large scale and enables us to distinguish species within a community. Using this technique in conjunction with real time PCR quantitatively monitor unidentified species within karst microbial communities.

Biographical sketch
I began studying speleogenesis and biospeleology doing an independent study as a senior at Rockbridge County High School in 1996-97. Since then I have developed an interest many forms of karst research. Next I studied Speleology under Dr. Kenneth Thompson at Southwest Missouri State University. Currently I am a senior at Western Kentucky University perusing BS in Geography with a minor in Biology. At western I volunteer for the Biotechnology Center as an undergraduate researcher, as well as, the Center for Cave and Karst Studies. Since attending western I have studied Hydrogeology under Dr. Nick Crawford and Karst Microbial Genetics with Rick Fowler. I have been an active caver since 1995 and am currently chairman of the Green River Grotto. Also I am a member of the National Speleological Society and Cave Research Foundation.

22. Indiana bat hibernation caves: restoration as a step beyond conservation.

Jim Kennedy, Cave Resources Specialist, Bat Conservation International, Post Office Box 162603, Austin, Texas, 78716-2603. 512-327-9721. jkennedy@batcon.org

The Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) is a federally-endangered species reliant on very cold Eastern caves. Many historic roosts are no longer suitable due to saltpeter mining, commercial development, and excessive disturbance. Disturbance can be controlled through well-designed gates and other protective measures. However, physical changes to the cave, such as enlarging passageways and modifying entrances, can alter the microclimate inside the cave so that it is no longer suitable for Indiana bats, even with gating. In 1998 Bat Conservation International and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service began a long-term project to monitor and better characterize the temperatures and microclimates of some of the most important current and former roosts. This led to the discovery that many of the sites we felt were important and protected, were in fact marginal roosts that the bats retreated to when their primary roosts were no longer available or suitable. Other formerly important sites were not even recognized as such. Further microclimate research in one cave, Saltpetre (Carter County, Kentucky), led to a predictive model of changes in microclimate throughout the cave system and throughout the year. This summer the first modifications to restore former habitat conditions were completed. Impacts to tourism and cultural material had to be considered. Microclimate monitoring and future bat counts will help us adjust our modifications to achieve the desired 3°C drop in the overall cave temperature.

AUTHOR BIO: Jim Kennedy has worked as a camp counselor, environmental educator, and Interpretive Director at Laurel Caverns, a show cave. He began working with bats as a non-game wildlife technician for the Pennsylvania Game Commission. For the past 8 years he has worked for Bat Conservation International, where he is Cave Resources Specialist. He advises federal and state resource managers on cave inventory and protection methods, leads training workshops, and is involved with the recovery of the Endangered Indiana and gray bats. He is active in cave exploration and mapping, and was past Chair of the Mid-Appalachian Region and the Texas Speleological Association of the NSS. He has been Editor of the Texas Speleological Survey for the last 6 years. He currently sits on the NCKMS Steering Committee, and is Bat Conservation Liaison for the NSS.

23. Rick Olson, DON'T MESS WITH MAMMOTH DAYS in the Pike Spring Basin of Kentucky

"Don't Mess With Mammoth Days" is a cooperative effort among private and governmental organizations to clean up groundwater recharge of the Pike Spring Basin in and near Mammoth Cave National Park. In alphabetical order, the organizations consistently involved are the Cave Research Foundation (CRF), Hart County Solid Waste (HCSW), Mammoth Cave National Park (MCNP), and the National Speleological Society (NSS). It is important to keep in mind that the horsepower within these organizations is provided by people who match their rhetoric with hard work. Bill Hack, the previous director of HCSW, was particularly helpful in getting this project off the ground.

24. Ecosystem Management and the Idea of Cave Wilderness In Protecting Karst Resources

Patricia E. Seiser, PhD
NSS 28650 FE

Findings from a recent study on the idea of cave wilderness indicate the need for an ecosystem management approach in the stewardship of cave and karst resources.
In planning for the use and allocation of, as well as the protection of, natural resources, land managers must consider both social variables and biophysical factors. The sole use of ecological information in the protection and restoration of natural resources, such as karst aquifers, may be self-limiting, as it does not present a holistic understanding of an area and its resources.
This paper will explore using an ecosystem management framework and the idea of Cave Wilderness in protecting karst resources.