Editing Microclimate (section)

===Caves===
[[Caves]] are important geologic formations that can house unique and delicate geologic/biological environments. The vast majority of caves found are made of calcium carbonates such as [[limestone]]. In these dissolution environments, many species of flora and fauna find home. The mixture of water content within the cave atmosphere, air pressure, geochemistry of the cave rock as well as the waste product from these species can combine to make unique microclimates within cave systems.<ref name="Dredge, Jonathan 2013">Dredge, Jonathan & Fairchild, Ian & Harrison, Roy & Fernandez-Cortes, Angel &  Sanchez-Moral, S. & Jurado, Valme & Gunn, John & Smith, Andrew & Spötl, Christoph  & Mattey, David & Wynn, Peter & Grassineau, Nathalie. (2013). Cave aerosols:  Distribution and contribution to speleothem geochemistry. Quaternary Science Reviews.  63. 23–41. 10.1016/j.quascirev.2012.11.016</ref> 
 
The speleogenetic effect is an observed and studied process of air circulation within cave environments brought on by convection. In [[Phreatic zone|phreatic]] conditions the cave surfaces are exposed to the enclosed air (as opposed to submerged and interacting with water from the water table in [[vadose]] conditions). This air circulates water particles that condense on cave walls and formations such as [[speleothems]]. This condensing water has been found to contribute to cave wall erosion and the formation of morphological features. Some examples of this can be found in the limestone walls of [[Monsummano Terme#Main sights|Grotta Giusti]]; a thermal cave near [[Monsummano Terme|Monsummano]], Lucca, Italy. Any process that leads to an increase or decrease in chemical/physical processes will subsequently impact the environment within that system. Air density within caves, which directly relates to the convection processes, is determined by the air temperature, humidity, and pressure. In enclosed cave environments, the introduction of bacteria, algae, plants, animals, or human interference can change any one of these factors therefore altering the microenvironment within the cave.<ref name="Dredge, Jonathan 2013"/> There are over 750 caves worldwide that are available for people to visit. The constant human traffic through these cave environments can have a negative effect on the microclimates as well as on the geological and archeological findings. Factors that play into the deterioration of these environments include nearby deforestation, agriculture operations, water exploitation, mining, and tourist operations.<ref>Hoyos, M., Soler, V., Cañaveras, J. et al. Microclimatic characterization of a karstic cave human impact on microenvironmental parameters of a prehistoric rock art cave (Candamo Cave, northern Spain). Environmental Geology 33, 231–242 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002540050242</ref>

The speleogenetic effect of normal caves tends to show a slow circulation of air. In unique conditions where acids are present, the effects of erosion and changes to the microenvironment can be drastically enhanced. One example is the effect of the presence of hydro[[sulfuric acid]]({{chem2|H2S}}). When the oxidized hydrosulfuric acid chemically alters to sulfuric acid({{chem2|H2SO4}}), this acid starts to react with the calcium [[carbonate rock]] at much higher rates. The water involved in this reaction tends to have a high pH of 3 which renders the water almost unlivable for many bacteria and algae. An example of this can be found in the [[Frasassi Caves#Chambers|Grotta Grande del Vento cave]] in [[Province of Ancona|Ancona, Italy]].<ref name="Dredge, Jonathan 2013"/>