An ecological comparison of two anchialine caves in Cuba with emphasis on water chemistry

Yager, J; Spokane, RB; Bozanic, JE; Williams, DW; Balado, E

Environ. Sci. Dep., Antioch Coll., 795 Livermore St., Yellow Springs, OH 45387, USA

Conference: 2. International Conference on Groundwater Ecology, Atlanta, GA (USA), 27-30 Mar 1994 Stanford, JA; Valett, HM (eds)

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SECOND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GROUND WATER ECOLOGY., AMERICAN WATER RESOURCES ASSOCIATION, 950 HERNDON PKWY, STE 300, HERNDON, VA (USA), 1994, pp. 95-104, 1-882132-28-9

AMERICAN WATER RESOURCES ASSOCIATION, 950 HERNDON PKWY, STE 300, HERNDON, VA (USA)

A preliminary investigation of submerged karst ecosystems in Cuba has revealed anchialine habitats similar to that recorded for the Bahamas and the Yucatan Peninsula. A new species of the crustacean class Remipedia and other troglobitic fauna were collected. Water chemistry was critically evaluated using the YSI (Yellow Springs Instrument Co., Inc.) 6000 sonde. This was the first field test for the sonde in a submerged cave environment. The portable sonde was attached to scuba tanks and was carried by a diver for the duration of each dive. The following parameters were measured: depth, dissolved oxygen, salinity, temperature, pH, and oxidation-reduction potential. The data were correlated with the fauna collections. The remipedes were found beneath a density interface in hypoxic marine water with an oxygen concentration of less than 1 mg/L. The water chemistry and fauna of two submerged Cuban cave systems are compared.