What to Know about Polluted Ocean Caves

With the continuous emergence of ocean pollution around the world, ocean caves are not marked safe from its detrimental effects. Aside from beautiful coral reef systems that serve as habitats for multiple creatures, ocean caves also contribute to the marine ecosystem.

Ocean caves are also a sources of drinking water to some residents worldwide. But because of the worsening effect of water pollution, these underground resources become victims of harmful surface activities, sewage spills, and plastic accumulation.

How are ocean caves affected by water pollution, and what can we do to prevent this adverse impact? Read this guide to learn more.

Cave Pollution

It’s no secret that plastic pollution has become one of the significant issues concerning different bodies of water, especially the ocean. This led to civilians and locals becoming more motivated to save ocean ecosystems and marine creatures.

However, while organizations and communities continue to seek ways to help reduce plastic consumption, one aspect is often neglected: ocean caves which are the primary sources of fresh water.

Several researchers also revealed that human-driven ocean pollution could negatively impact underground cave environments, especially when surface water reaches urban and agricultural areas.

Aside from plastic, surface contaminants have also been revealed to infiltrate underwater caves, causing massive cave pollution that can potentially kill thousands of marine creatures.

These contaminants include pesticides, PCBs, gasoline, dioxins, caffeine, fertilizers, and sewage. They are pollutants that constantly leach into caves from ground and surface water, posing threats to significant underground environments.

Moreover, being aware of the presence of these contaminants can remind individuals how these pollutants can be pervasive and detrimental.

Famous Underwater Caves

Kaumana Cave, a famous underwater cave system in Hawaii, has long been affected by various ocean contaminants. Scientists performed several studies and revealed the influx of sewage, road runoff, and other agricultural waste. Kaumana Cave also did not escape from the widespread contamination of genetically modified plants and their harmful residue.

Another nature preserve, the Monte Conca Cave System, is starting to be affected by contaminants from groundwater comprising limestone and sulfur. The University of South Florida studied the composition and current condition of the Monte Cava Cace System, revealing the presence of bacteria from agricultural and urban areas.

Mexico’s Sac Actun Cave System is also endangered because of the development and pollution from crystalline water. Acidity levels of the cave’s underground water continue to increase because of acidic runoff from the open-air dump.

The world-renowned Mammoth Cave is also a victim of ocean pollution, especially because of human waste. This famous cave system was contaminated by sewage and garbage from a hotel nearby.

Nowadays, various cave systems are constantly being disrupted by locals and tourists that utilize sinkhole lakes for swimming and snorkeling.

Karst Formation

However, it’s also a fact that cave pollution is inevitable because of the presence of fissures and cracks in the surrounding rocks or through karst formations.

Karst formations refer to sinkholes, caves, and underground formations made of limestone from rainwater. Because these formations contain cracks, anything on the ground can quickly travel through unfiltered holes.

Karst formations become an even bigger issue when they are placed in areas with a majority of the groundwater seeping through. This does not only jeopardize the habitat of unusual marine creatures but also the humans’ potential drinking water.

The Importance of Caves

The number-one purpose of underwater caves is to provide freshwater resources. Individuals can fill their containers or pumps with the cave water and bring them home for washing, cooking, drinking, laundry, and other purposes.

There are also caves that serve as tourist attractions, contributing to an improved economy for several countries. Cave diving is also popular, giving certain locals potential income sources.

Underwater caves also serve as healthy habitats for endangered animal species. Plus, researchers and anthropologists can utilize these caves to study prehistoric animals through fossils and other remains.

What We Can Do

While we cannot totally eradicate the pollution problem, there are quick ways to contribute to protecting and saving these ocean caves. Let’s take a look at some of our ideas.

Go For Plastic-Free Alternatives

Plastic is the most significant contributor to ocean pollution. And one way to reduce the pollution’s negative impact is to go for plastic-free alternatives. This can be as simple as bringing your own bag when grocery shopping or avoiding the use of plastic cutlery.

Reducing Your Carbon Footprint

Carbon dioxide contributes to raising acidity levels in ocean caves. It can also negatively impact coral reef systems and lead to their extinction. Did you know that carbon dioxide can weaken the reef’s calcium skeletons?

Try reducing your carbon footprint with the following measures.

• Use a bike, public transportation, or walking instead of driving.
• Always turn off appliances and lights when not in use.
• Wear a sweater when the weather is cold instead of switching your thermostat on.
• Sustainably caught seafood is better because it’s a renewable resource.

Don’t Use Ocean-Harming Products

Using certain products is also directly harming ocean water and underwater caves. These include sunscreens, unsustainable fishing methods, and cosmetic products with shark squalene.

You can also opt to avoid water bottles and plastic straws because these can be massive causes of ocean plastic pollution.

Protect Ocean Caves at All Costs

Caves might not be something you frequently see, but they give a wide variety of benefits that can help the planet. Knowing their significance can greatly help how you can seek various measures to protect them.

Ocean caves serve as fresh drinking water, underwater habitats, and tourist attractions that can contribute to a country’s economy. Not conserving them can result in detrimental effects that can change humans’ way of life.

Protect these caves by protecting the oceans. Always go for plastic-free alternatives and avoid using products that can directly harm the ocean water. More importantly, reduce your carbon footprint to prevent an increase of acidity in these underwater caves.