Abstract
Measurement of some magnetic properties have been performed on vertical profile from South Sulawesi caves (Mampu and Bubau) by using low cost, rapid, sensitive and non destructive magnetic method. The aim is to attempt to use magnetic characters as a fingerprint for anthropogenic pollution in the caves. Guano samples were collected every 5 cm at a certain section of Mampu and Bubau cave, South Sulawesi, starting from surface through 300 cm in depth of mampu Cave and 30 cm of Bubau Cave. The magnetic parameters such as magnetic susceptibility and percentage frequency dependence susceptibility were measured using the Bartington MS2-MS2B instruments and supported by X-Ray Fluoroscence (XRF) to know their element composition. The results show that the samples had variations in magnetic susceptibility from 3.5 to 242.6 x 10−8 m3/kg for Mampu Cave and from 8.6 to 106.5 x 10−8 m3/kg for Bubau Cave and also magnetic domain. Then, the XRF results show that the caves contain several heavy metals. Magnetic and heavy metal analyses showing that the magnetic minerals in caves are lithogenic (Fe-bearing minerals) in origin and anthropogenic (Zn content) in the caves.
Highlights
Guano is one of the deposits on the cave floor from the rest of the process of digestion of bats or birds containing mineral component [1]
The results show that the samples had variations in magnetic susceptibility from 3.5 to 242.6 x 10-8 m3/kg for Mampu Cave and from 8.6 to 106.5 x 10-8 m3/kg for Bubau Cave and magnetic domain
Higher magnetic susceptibility value could be founded in surface
Summary
Guano is one of the deposits on the cave floor from the rest of the process of digestion (feces) of bats or birds containing mineral component [1]. Deposits of guano mostly contain carbon, nitrogen, phosphate or sulphate minerals [2]. The sediment of guano will undergo deposition a few meters after thousands of years [1]. During the process of precipitation in the cave for thousands of years, guano could record environmental changes that occur for pasttime [3]. Environmental changes stored in the cave can be seen from variation of magnetic mineral concentration of guano. Despite the presence of magnetic minerals in sediments is very small, but has a great influence and can serve as proxy for environmental change [4]. The magnetic minerals transport process in the cave occur in wet and or dry state through water, wind and animal cave [5]
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