As Presented by: Ms. Amanda K.

Woolums Cave Researcher; Editor Carbide Courier

My Background
Photographer Environmental Engineer Phlebotomist Student Carbide Courier Editor Passions for:
Human Health Environment (as it deals with human health)

Photographer

Environmental Engineer

Student

Do you like to climb, get dirty, crawl around, and get soaking wet?

Then you may consider caving!

Caves Possess:
Tight passageways

Seriously, you WILL get dirty!

CAVE HAIR

After

Purposes

Adventure Awesome Photography Spice up your Vacation Scientific Research

Adventure
Rock Climbing Repelling Scuba Diving Hiking
Caves offer the most extreme environment known by man

Crawling

Rapid Waters

Photography

Vacationing
Unique Tourist Caves are lit and beautiful (Perfect for photographs as well) Family Adventure Cool place to be on hot summer days

Scientific Study
Unique Ecosystem
Bacteria

Water and Human Health

Underground Aquifer

Environmental Conservation is observed through the effects on the cave

Extremophiles
Organisms that thrive in environments where human life could not.
Greenlands Ice Caves & Jupiters moon

MDR-TB Yukon, Mexico Greenlands Ice Caves

Water Measurements
DO Fecal Coliform pH BOD Temperature Total Phosphate Turbidity Nitrates

Dissolved Oxygen (DO)

Algae and the atmosphere Peak Time: Afternoon in a normal environment Organic Waste alter

Fecal Coliform
Total Coliform TestPresence/Absence Compliance with the SDWA is necessary to make these waters drinkable.

pH
Measures +H ions 7 = Neutral Below 7 = Acidic Above 7 = Basic Certain organisms survive at certain levels.

BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand 5-Day)

Decomposing Organic Matter Measures the amount of Oxygen used by the microorganisms after a 5 day period Usually will fall under 90%

Total Phosphate
Growth and metabolic reactions Plant growth is limited with limited P Excessive P = Algal blooms

Nitrates (NO-3)
Build Protein More abundant than P N = 79% of air

Turbidity
Clarity of the water Murky water = Higher turbidity Soil Erosion/Waste Discharge/Runoff

Gathering Samples

Testing On-Site

Testing in the Cave

Testing in my Lab

Want to Go?

What you need:

Lights (3 min) Thermals (Layers) Power Bars Plastic Trash Bags Sturdy Footwear Helmet Gloves Knee Pads Bottled Water First Aid Kit Cave Pack (Military)

Rules of Three

Groups of 3 or more Tell 3 people where you are going and when you shall return Three sources of light Three points of contact when climbing

International Emergency Signal

3 Toots of a whistle 3 Honks on a horn 3 Giant Xs on Rocks or Snow

Food and Excretion

No crumbs Ziplock Ham Bags/Bottles (men) All trash MUST be carried OUT of the cave

Dangers
Getting lost Loss of light Hypothermia Passages flooding Falling rocks Falling off cliffs (not seen) Poor Footing

What you could see

Stalactites

Stalagmites

Soda Straws

Drapery

Flowstone

Popcorn

Chemistry Behind the Formations

Calcite (CaCO3) Iron (Fe) Copper (Cu) Manganese (Mn)

Rhinestone Dams

Cave Life in Dams

Cave Life

Trips

You think the car ride may be long and hard to drive.

Especially on those dark, stormy nights

Have no fear, groups are here!

Steps to Go on a cave trip:

1. 2. 3. 4. Meet a Caver Ask When are you going caving? Chip in for gas (around $40) Rent Cave Gear

Trips are forming now!

Any Questions?