Cave & Karst Science (ISSN 1356-191X)

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Contents of Cave & Karst Science 49(2)

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Cave and Karst Science (iv + 36pp) (PDF 4.7MB)        Individual articles may be available below

GUNN, John and David LOWE (eds.). (2022). Cave and Karst Science 49(2). Buxton: British Cave Research Association. ISSN 1356-191X. iv + 36pp, A4, with photos, maps and diagrams.
This issue has a cover date of 2022 (August) and was published in October 2022.

The Transactions of the British Cave Research Association.

Online version updated 20-Jan-2023 to correct the page headers on pages 51-56

Front cover photo (page i) (PDF 331KB)     

by Drew BUCKLEY.
Pembroke Castle, below which lies Wogan Cavern (Photo: Drew Buckley).

 

Notes for Contributors (page ii) (PDF 266KB)     

 

Contents (p49) (PDF 409KB)     

 

Editorial (p50) (PDF 238KB)     

by John GUNN and David LOWE.

 

The microbial community profile of a snottite-like biofilm in an abandoned mine drainage tunnel in the Derbyshire Peak District, UK (pp51-56) (PDF 1.1MB)     

by Harry MITCHELL, Joanne WHITE, John GUNN, Bethany FOX, Paul N HUMPHREYS and Simon P ROUT.
The formation of biofilms on subterranean surfaces is a topic of significant interest because the characterization of the constituent microorganisms can provide key insights as to the surface biogeochemistry across the micro to nano scale. Stringy biofilms (commonly referred to as snottites) have been described mainly from low pH (0.0 – 1.5) environments. However, stringy biofilms have also been observed in several soughs (lead mine drainage levels) in the Derbyshire Peak District where the surface water is typically near neutral. A snottite-like biofilm that was collected from Yatestoop Sough was visualized microscopically and the microbial community structure determined through DNA extraction and sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA genes present. The community contained sulphur-cycling organisms of the genera Thiothrix (16.2%) and Thiobacillus sp (8.7%). The presence of Thiothrix and Thiobacillus might suggest that reduced sulphur within percolating waters could be more influential than is the acidity of these leachates in the formation of snottite-like biofilms.
Classification: Paper.
Date: Received: 14 July 2022; Accepted: 31 August 2022. Online version updated 20-Jan-2023 to correct the page headers.

Bibliograph: MITCHELL, Harry; Joanne WHITE, John GUNN, Bethany FOX, Paul N HUMPHREYS and Simon P ROUT. (2022). The microbial community profile of a snottite-like biofilm in an abandoned mine drainage tunnel in the Derbyshire Peak District, UK. Cave and Karst Science 49(2), pp51-56.

 

The microbial community profile of a snottite-like biofilm in an abandoned mine drainage tunnel in the Derbyshire Peak District, UK (pp S1-S22) (PDF 1.2MB)     

Online supplement to above paper.

 

An updated review of the Ostracoda known from subterranean habitats in the British Isles (pp57-64) (PDF 1.1MB)     

by Lee R F D KNIGHT and Nataša MORI.
This review updates that of David Horne in Proudlove et al. (2003), which documented the records of Ostracoda from British and Irish groundwater habitats, including springs. Since that review, continued sampling has produced several new and important records of Ostracoda species that have improved our knowledge of their distribution within the groundwaters of the British Isles greatly. These records include further reports of the stygophilic species Cavernocypris subterranean (previously known from just five sites) from caves and springs across a wide distributional range in Britain and the first record from Ireland. Living specimens of the stygobitic species Fabaeformiscandona breuili, previously reported as fossil valves in Holocene deposits, and Fabaeformiscandona wegelini have also been confirmed from both Ireland and Britain for the first time. A third stygobitic ostracod, Fabaeformiscandona lateens, has been identified tentatively from specimens collected in two caves in the far northwest of Scotland. Additionally, a species that is likely to be stygophilic, Fabaeformiscandona brevicornis, known previously from Ireland as fossil valves in Holocene deposits, has been recorded in a spring on the Isle of Lismore, also in Scotland.
Classification: Paper.
Date: Received: 24 March 2022; Accepted: 12 July 2022.

Bibliograph: KNIGHT, Lee R F D and Nataša MORI. (2022). An updated review of the Ostracoda known from subterranean habitats in the British Isles. Cave and Karst Science 49(2), pp57-64.

 

The archaeological potential of Wogan Cavern (Pembroke, UK): results of the first fieldwork season (pp65-72) (PDF 1.1MB)     

by Rob DINNIS, John BOULTON, Jennifer C FRENCH, Mike BUCKLEY, Jesse DAVIES, Marion Hervé, Sid HOWELLS, Elodie-Laure JIMENEZ, Neil LUDLOW, Edouard MASSON-MACLEAN, Jonquil MOGG, Catriona PICKARD, Elizabeth A WALKER, Dee WILLIAMS, Andrew T CHAMBERLAIN and Chris STRINGER.
The impressive Wogan Cavern, lying beneath Pembroke Castle, has been subject to several historic phases of antiquarian investigation. None of these is well documented, however, so little can be said about the cave's archaeological status. Here we summarize previous work at Wogan Cavern and describe the initial results of our 2021 fieldwork at the site, focussing mostly on our investigations close to the cave's eastern wall. Despite the restricted extent of our excavation, it is clear that Wogan Cavern has significant archaeological potential. We identified an intact Early Holocene archaeological layer containing diagnostic Mesolithic artefacts in the eastern part of the cave, sealed beneath a flowstone floor. Underlying this stratigraphically, securely within Pleistocene deposits, is a layer containing palaeontological and possible archaeological material. Elsewhere in the cave there is clear evidence for large-scale disturbance, although initial indications are that substantial intact deposits of ancient sediments might remain. Overall, the nature and richness of Wogan Cavern's Mesolithic archaeological remains, as well as the existence of Pleistocene fauna and possible presence of an intact Palaeolithic layer, demonstrate its importance as an early prehistoric site. Future work will aim further to establish the extent of its archaeological potential.
Classification: Paper.
Date: Received: 26 April 2022; Accepted: 27 May 2022.

Bibliograph: DINNIS, Rob; John BOULTON, Jennifer C FRENCH, Mike BUCKLEY, Jesse DAVIES, Marion Hervé, Sid HOWELLS, Elodie-Laure JIMENEZ, Neil LUDLOW, Edouard MASSON-MACLEAN, Jonquil MOGG, Catriona PICKARD, Elizabeth A WALKER, Dee WILLIAMS, Andrew T CHAMBERLAIN and Chris STRINGER. (2022). The archaeological potential of Wogan Cavern (Pembroke, UK): results of the first fieldwork season. Cave and Karst Science 49(2), pp65-72.

 

Wogan Cavern (Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, UK): a possible hypogenic void (pp73-75) (PDF 918KB)     

by John GUNN, Andrew T CHAMBERLAIN, Sid HOWELLS and Rob DINNIS.
Wogan Cavern is an isolated chamber that lies beneath the Great Hall of Pembroke Castle in southwest Wales. In the absence of any other likely causal mechanism, it is hypothesized here that the cave is an ancient hypogenic void breached by a combination of surface lowering and coastal retreat. Several dissolutional pockets around the walls contain clasts up to 10cm long, both angular and more-rounded, that suggest an early fill deposit, though it is currently unclear when and how it was emplaced and when and how it was removed.
Classification: Report.
Date: Received: 26 April 2022; Accepted: 13 June 2022.

Bibliograph: GUNN, John; Andrew T CHAMBERLAIN, Sid HOWELLS and Rob DINNIS. (2022). Wogan Cavern (Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, UK): a possible hypogenic void. Cave and Karst Science 49(2), pp73-75.

 

Short Communication: The CaveLife App; A Future tool to recruit and aid cavers in condition monitoring of the EU Habitat 8310 (pp76-77) (PDF 424KB)     

by Lee R F D KNIGHT, Christian ZAENKER and Stefan ZAENKER.
Classification: Forum.

 

Notes for Authors: Co-authors – mainly Good, only rarely Bad or Ugly (pp77-78) (PDF 395KB)     

by Stephen K DONOVAN.
Many, perhaps most, scientific research papers are co-authored. Your co-authors may share your enthusiasm for your subject or, and just as likely, have a different, but complementary expertise that introduces added value to your collaborative publications. Styles and habits of collaborative writing vary. But beware of co-authors who want the kudos of publication without making a worthwhile contribution. As the time for submission approaches, some co-authors may fade away, leaving you to deal with reviews, proofs and the like. Other co-authors may have more insidious agendas.
Classification: Forum.

 

Dissertation Abstract: Exploring cave air temperature and ventilation regimes at Poole's Cavern, Buxton, 2019–2021 (p78) (PDF 636KB)     

by Simon MORRIS.
Classification: Forum.

 

BCRA Field trip to Upper Dove valley, Derbyshire. 19 March 2022 (pp78-79)  For download see previous item

by Andy HALL.
Classification: Forum.

 

BCRA Cave Archaeology SIG Field Meeting, Winskill, Yorkshire Dales, June 2022 (pp80-83) (PDF 940KB)     

by Vince SIMMONDS, Linda J WILSON and Andy HALL.
Classification: Forum.

 

Bubble Springs Cave, Lathkill Dale, Derbyshire: Britain's youngest limestone cave (p84) (PDF 600KB)     

by John GUNN.
Classification: Photo Feature.

Bibliograph: GUNN, John. (2022). Bubble Springs Cave, Lathkill Dale, Derbyshire: Britain's youngest limestone cave. Cave and Karst Science 49(2), p84.

 

Research Fund and Grants (page iii) (PDF 277KB)     

 

Back cover photos (page iv) (PDF 365KB)     

by John CORDINGLEY, John GUNN and Lee KNIGHT.
Photo collage (Photos: John Cordingley, John Gunn, Lee Knight).