Nutty Putty Cave, UT
Posted: Dec 2, 2009 4:05 am
While reading about Nutty Putty Cave, I noticed several factors that suggest the possibility that a precipitous decision to seal the cave could be problematic from an environmental or scientific perspective.
The cave is reportedly of hydrothermal origin; the unusually warm temperatures in the cave (relative to the mean annual surface temperature) suggest the possibility of an ongoing connection with a geothermal heat source. Hydrothermal activity is often associated with extensive sulfur-based microbial activity. In discussing the cave's hydrothermal origins, the geology article on the NuttyPuttyCave.com web site contains several references to the current or former presence of sulfur compounds. Also, the cave's signature "Nutty Putty" clay-like material also appears to be unusual in nature; clay-like compounds are sometimes associated with microbial activity.
Sulfur-based microbial activity in caves and in active hydrothermal areas represents a very active area of scientific research; many of the microbes that have been identified in sulfur-origin caves are new to science.
Has anyone investigated the possibility that significant microbial life may be present in Nutty Putty Cave? None of the Nutty Putty sources reference anything like this, and a cursory search on Google and Google Scholar did not identify any published papers on this topic.
Also, have any of the cave managers or the land owners considered the potential ramifications to the cave biota (and possibly microbiota) of completely sealing up the natural entrance to this cave? Is there any requirement for the land owner, SITLA, which appears to be an agency of the State of Utah, to undertake an environmental assessment before undertaking such an environmentally significant act as permanently sealing the cave?
The cave is reportedly of hydrothermal origin; the unusually warm temperatures in the cave (relative to the mean annual surface temperature) suggest the possibility of an ongoing connection with a geothermal heat source. Hydrothermal activity is often associated with extensive sulfur-based microbial activity. In discussing the cave's hydrothermal origins, the geology article on the NuttyPuttyCave.com web site contains several references to the current or former presence of sulfur compounds. Also, the cave's signature "Nutty Putty" clay-like material also appears to be unusual in nature; clay-like compounds are sometimes associated with microbial activity.
Sulfur-based microbial activity in caves and in active hydrothermal areas represents a very active area of scientific research; many of the microbes that have been identified in sulfur-origin caves are new to science.
Has anyone investigated the possibility that significant microbial life may be present in Nutty Putty Cave? None of the Nutty Putty sources reference anything like this, and a cursory search on Google and Google Scholar did not identify any published papers on this topic.
Also, have any of the cave managers or the land owners considered the potential ramifications to the cave biota (and possibly microbiota) of completely sealing up the natural entrance to this cave? Is there any requirement for the land owner, SITLA, which appears to be an agency of the State of Utah, to undertake an environmental assessment before undertaking such an environmentally significant act as permanently sealing the cave?