The paper presents the construction and operation of a cave information system on the example of the Postojnska jama cave. It thoroughly describes the construction of the basic modules of the cave information system, such as an automatic cave measuring station with sensors for measuring air temperature, air flow and CO2 concentration, and a central unit for collecting, saving, processing and displaying data. The system provides quality automatic measurements for the scientific study of the micrometeorology of karst caves. Its construction is based on good practices stemming from many years of experience in taking measurements in the external atmosphere and in karst caves.
The air quality in the external atmosphere is regulated by a relevant pollutant-related European Directive. Numerous air parameters in indoor work premises are subject to controls as well. But there are also environments that are neither here nor there but yet have to accommodate crowds of visitors. Our contribution seeks to shed light on the issue of air quality inside a karst cave which is visited masses of tourists. The masses of tourists in the partly ventilated natural subterranean halls are problematic because their presence causes a significant and by no means negligible increase of CO2 due to the air the people exhale. We set out to transfer the experiences gained through measurements, modelling and air quality regulations in the external atmosphere to special environments such as giant karst caves that draw masses of people, and possibly other environments that have not received attention thus far, but are relevant in terms of mass visits.
In an invited keynote lecture at the international symposium on show caves management, we presented cave monitoring systems, the results and interpretation of microclimatic measurements, and the guidelines for the managers.
COBISS.SI-ID: 45278509