speleoclimatic monitoring of the tourist zone of Santana Cave (Petar, São Paulo, Brazil)

Speleoclimate studies about Brazilian caves are still incipient and restricted to monitoring and getting some localized measurements focused on the management of tourist caves, as well as to be used as a basis for paleoclimate studies. The present study reflects the development of these studies in Brazil, presenting one of the most complete and detailed climatic monitoring of a cave until it is finished (2011), aiming to define the dynamics of the atmosphere of the cave in different climatic seasons. The research was conducted in the Santana cave, one of the most important tourist caves in Brazil. The field research about the monitoring of atmospheric parameters focused the air temperature and the relative humidity. The data were submitted to a statistical treatment and an analysis which showed that the atmosphere of the Santana cave is characterized as a warm trap, which maintained the air in the upper galleries. Therefore, scientific parameters may be established to its management and conservation, as well as the use of the obtained information in future studies in the field of climate, paleoclimate and tourist management.

Microclimate; Cave Atmosphere; Climate Monitoring; Speleoclimate.