The Jenolan Environmental Monitoring Program

Abstract

The Jenolan Environmental Monitoring Program reports on the condition of atmospheric and water parameters in and around the show caves at Jenolan. This paper summarises the key findings from four years (2009-2012) of monitoring cave atmosphere. The caves were typically characterised by high relative humidity, moderately stable air temperature (annual variation <2°C) and pronounced seasonal variation in the concentration of CO2. A major exception was the Temple of Baal, where CO2 was moderately elevated (~2,000 ppm) year round, with no apparent seasonal variation. The concentrations of CO2 in the caves were generally well below the exposure limit and pose minimal risk to human health. Abrupt increases in air temperature of up to 0.9°C in <12 minutes occurred in several of the caves, in particular the Imperial. These increases were characteristic of, and generally corresponded to, commercial tours, and rapidly stabilised back to the pre-tour temperature after the tour had passed. Similarly, increases in CO2 associated with visitation were generally short lived, except in the Temple of Baal, where peak visitation elevated the CO2 for extended periods of time. The merits and shortfalls of various options for managing the accumulation of CO2 in the Temple of Baal are discussed.