cables) and each with their own software. Over time, all instrumentation has been
replaced with equipment from one manufacturer. This approach greatly simplified
the process of data download, data processing, and troubleshooting of instrument
malfunctions in the field. Standardizing equipment as much as possible within data
quality and budgetary considerations is recommended.
Data management is an ongoing challenge for high-resolution time series data
such as those associated with cave monitoring projects. Collection of closely spaced
data from multiple locations and of different types can quickly yield large amounts
of data. At James Cave, collection of precipitation, drip rates, stream stage/discharge, air and drip temperature, and drip-specific conductance has generated
several millions of data points. Specific software options (such as Aquarius, used
for this project) are available and designed to facilitate integration and processing
of large, time series datasets. Other approaches, such as custom software, may be
possible if in-house capacity exists for their development, modification, and maintenance. Cave monitoring projects are likely to be data rich, which requires
planning for data management, ideally before initiating data collection.
Last, installation and maintenance of equipment for cave monitoring projects
often requires substantial labor. For the James Cave project, labor was supplied by
researchers, students, and volunteers, some with limited caving experience. The
field crew had to navigate cave passages including tight confined spaces and
exposed climbs and tote equipment from the surface to sites in the cave and back
out again. Because workers have no way to communicate with anyone on the
surface, development of a communication (sign-out) protocol as part of the health
and safety plan is a critical element of any cave project.
7 Conclusions
Collecting long-term, high-resolution datasets in caves is a challenging endeavor,
as it involves not only installation of instrumentation but also long-term maintenance of the equipment. An additional challenge is the storage, processing, and
management of the data. However, with careful planning, design, and flexibility to
alter instrumentation during the course of the project, these rich datasets can be
applied to answer a variety of scientific questions. For example, results derived
from the James Cave datasets have provided insight into hydrologic and geochemical processes that influence recharge to the underlying karst aquifer.
Continued research on recharge in karst systems is needed to accurately
characterize the important water resources they contain. Improvements in sensor
technology, data storage, and data processing are critical for collecting long-term
high-quality datasets that can be used to address theoretical and applied questions about water and chemical flow in karst. The resulting information will
assist scientists and planners in making the informed decisions that are required
for effective management of karst aquifer systems and for water supply planning
for domestic, agriculture, municipal, and industrial applications.
Instrumenting Caves to Collect Hydrologic and Geochemical Data: Case Study. . .
229
replaced with equipment from one manufacturer. This approach greatly simplified
the process of data download, data processing, and troubleshooting of instrument
malfunctions in the field. Standardizing equipment as much as possible within data
quality and budgetary considerations is recommended.
Data management is an ongoing challenge for high-resolution time series data
such as those associated with cave monitoring projects. Collection of closely spaced
data from multiple locations and of different types can quickly yield large amounts
of data. At James Cave, collection of precipitation, drip rates, stream stage/discharge, air and drip temperature, and drip-specific conductance has generated
several millions of data points. Specific software options (such as Aquarius, used
for this project) are available and designed to facilitate integration and processing
of large, time series datasets. Other approaches, such as custom software, may be
possible if in-house capacity exists for their development, modification, and maintenance. Cave monitoring projects are likely to be data rich, which requires
planning for data management, ideally before initiating data collection.
Last, installation and maintenance of equipment for cave monitoring projects
often requires substantial labor. For the James Cave project, labor was supplied by
researchers, students, and volunteers, some with limited caving experience. The
field crew had to navigate cave passages including tight confined spaces and
exposed climbs and tote equipment from the surface to sites in the cave and back
out again. Because workers have no way to communicate with anyone on the
surface, development of a communication (sign-out) protocol as part of the health
and safety plan is a critical element of any cave project.
7 Conclusions
Collecting long-term, high-resolution datasets in caves is a challenging endeavor,
as it involves not only installation of instrumentation but also long-term maintenance of the equipment. An additional challenge is the storage, processing, and
management of the data. However, with careful planning, design, and flexibility to
alter instrumentation during the course of the project, these rich datasets can be
applied to answer a variety of scientific questions. For example, results derived
from the James Cave datasets have provided insight into hydrologic and geochemical processes that influence recharge to the underlying karst aquifer.
Continued research on recharge in karst systems is needed to accurately
characterize the important water resources they contain. Improvements in sensor
technology, data storage, and data processing are critical for collecting long-term
high-quality datasets that can be used to address theoretical and applied questions about water and chemical flow in karst. The resulting information will
assist scientists and planners in making the informed decisions that are required
for effective management of karst aquifer systems and for water supply planning
for domestic, agriculture, municipal, and industrial applications.
Instrumenting Caves to Collect Hydrologic and Geochemical Data: Case Study. . .
229