Part 3-Restoration: Hildreth-Werker and Werker-Flowstone and Dripstone 401 Section D-Restoring Speleothems

Flowstone and Figure I. A muddy boot print mars white Dripstone Restoration flowstone. Remove muddy marks from Val Hildreth-Werker and Jim C. Werker flowstone before a new layer of calcite covers and makes the imprints permanent. It is easy to mar cave surfaces and leave unsightly scars on speleothems. With wise planning and careful execution, some cave features can be restored to resemble a former natural condition. Muddy tracks, boot marks, hand prints, dust, lint, carbide, muck, scrapes, and other human impacts can cause discoloration and interruption of natural speleothem growth patterns. Ideally, restoration is performed before new calcite deposition seals these human impacts into speleothems. Some cave passages can be restored to display former aesthetic beauty. Some caves can be restored to a former ecological state. This section addresses tools and techniques for cleaning and restoring durable speleothems. The gen~ral methods described here work well in most cave pas- sages. Techniques focus on minimizing disturbance to cave-dwelling species and maintaining the natural ecological balance. Also described are specialized techniques for the restoration and preservation of pristine areas with emphasis on minimizing human disruption of the amazing diversity of subsurface microbes. Always consider how cave life and other cave values may be impacted by restoration. Check with speleologists, scientists, and cave managers to define priorities and achieve balance between aesthet- ics, cultural significance, speleothem growth, microbial preservation, biological concerns, and mineralogical issues.

Flowstone and Dripstone ~ Spray and sponge. Gentle cleaning ~ with water and blotting with a fresh ~ sponge does not appear to harm most u. tlowstone. It is always a good idea to try test spots first. Figul'"c 2. Usc water in Use hand-held spray bottles and a soft sponge on fragile tlowstone. a spray bottle and a Avoid wiping sponges across llowstone surfaces because the sponges will soft, closed-cell sponge deteriorate rapidly and particles will be distributed in the cave (Figure 2). to blot up muddy prints from fiowstone sur- faces. Wear non latex, powder-free gloves. 402 Cave Conservation and Restoration

Soft Brushes. Light brush strokes, sprayers, and sponges aid the restoration of muddied textured areas and "bathtub rings" on f1owstone surfaces. Use a brush on flows tone only when necessary and make certain the bristles are not marring the cave surface by making dents, grooves, or scratches. Longer, relatively sparsely distributed nylon or plastic bristles tend to work best for most restoration

Photos Cl Val Hildrelh-Wer1c.er (Figure 3). Figure 3. Use light brush strokes, water Remove Chunks. In areas with fragmented aragonite, crunched popcorn, sprayers, and sponges or other broken speleothems, the first task is to pick up the larger chunks to clean textured that have not calcited over so crushing and grinding damage does not flowstone surfaces. Be continue. Some breakage may be repaired. However, many pieces will careful to test tools likely be irreparable and should be gathered and stored in a relatively safe and avoid damaging location in the cave, away from traffic, and near the area where they were soft surfaces. retrieved (Figure 4).

Sediment. Layers of human-introduced mud and sediment require gentle Figure 4. Pick up bits digging, scraping, mopping, scrubbing, spraying, and sponging. (See Cave of aragonite and Without a Name photos, page 295.) broken pieces of cave popcorn to avoid continued crushing Spray and Runoff. Pressurized spray devices are sometimes appropriate and grinding into for cave restoration-however, the large quantity of runoff water is difficult f1owstone surfaces. to capture and remove. Consider whether cave biota will be heavily impacted by direct pressure and flooding. (See pressurized water, page 397-399.)

Small Tools. Nylon toothpicks, stainless steel tweezers, or plastic dental tools will dislodge muck from small declivities (Figure 5).

Clean Clothes. For restoration in pristine flow- stone-covered rooms, clean, lint-free clothing is recommended (Figure 6). Silky feeling polyester, nylon, or Tyvek suits work well. (See clean clothing, page 427; also see flowstone shoes, page 431 and surgical gloves, page 433.)

Capture Runoff. Capture all the restoration runoff water with sponge dams, lint-free towels, wet-dry vacuums, funneled tarps with buckets, and other catchment solutions (Figure 7). Squeeze water and debris from sponges and towels into buckets or other containers. Give special attention to planning the protocol for disposing of restoration runoff water. (See runoff, page 396.)

Collect Grit. As a final step, it may be necessary to rinse and sponge the area. Or it may be useful to perform a final light sweep to collect grit and particles that sponges miss (Figure 8). Part 3-Restoration: Hildreth-Werker and Werker-Flowstone and Dripstone 403

Figure S. Flowstone restoration tools include sponges, spray bottles, brushes, nylon picks, tweezers. syringes, zip-closure bags, and sponge dams.

Figure 6. Cavers wear clean, lint-free polyester clothing (silky feeling fabrics attract less dirt), flowstone shoes, and surgical or exam gloves for restoration in pristine areas.

Figure 7. (below) Sponge dams help to stop and contain restora- tion runoff water.

Figure 8. (below) Wear non latex, powder-free exam gloves. Use a flat, nylon pan-scraping tool and a brush to collect final bits of grit left on fiowstone surfaces. 404 Cave Conservation and Restoration

Tips for Flowstone and Dripstone

Sponge Prep. Thoroughly rinse sponges with fresh water before using for cave restoration. Some sponges are saturated with a soapy, softening, lubricating agent during the manufacturing process. Figure 9. Solid colored flagging tape, 'Vater Rinse. Rinse and disinfect all supplies between uses. Conservative such as this orange disinfecting is achieved by washing restoration supplies in fresh tap water, tape, will discolor wet then allowing them to dry in the sun because ultraviolet rays kill many flowstone. Use white- microorganisms. backed flagging instead. (See page 14 in Chemical Sterilization. Durable tools may be soaked in alcohol or color section.) chlorine bleach. Contact time is essential. Thorough rinsing is extremely important. Disinfecting agents must be thoroughly removed before taking supplies back into a cave-residual disinfectants can kill cave biota. Check with cave biologists before trying new ideas or products. (See anthropogenic chemicals, page 57; sterilizing and disinfecting, page 77.)

Use New. In pristine or isolated areas of some caves. spelean restorationists are using fresh. new, and sometimes sterilized supplies.

Autoclave. When extreme measures are required to avoid disturbing microbiota in sensitive areas, supplies can be autoclaved or steamed in a double boiler between uses. (See sterilizing. page 77.)

Pure Water. Use only clean, pure water for cave restoration, as advocated throughout this book. Do not use acids, manufactured cleaning agents, biodegradable products. or anthropogenic chemicals in cave systems. (See anthropogenic chemicals, page 57; also see water sources for restoration, page 393.) Figure 10. Orange flagging tape faded Check pH. Acidic water is not used for typical flowstone restoration. It is onto this wet flow- wise to check the pH and avoid water that may be too aggressive on calcite stone. Fortunately, the surfaces. (See restoration water, page 395.) discoloration was not incorporated into the Flagging Tape. Solid-colored flagging tape should not come in contact calcite and the orange with wet flowstone surfaces because the colors bleed. When color from the color was easily flagging remains on flowstone. spray with water. blot the color away with a sponged away. (See page sponge, and use light brush strokes if necessary. Color bleeding can usually 14 in color section.) Part 3-Restoration: Hildreth-Werker and Werker-Flowstone and Dripstone 405

Figure 11. To avoid color bleeding, use white-backed Figure 12. Black scutT marks made by boot soles can flagging on wet flowstone surfaces. Surveyors' flagging permanently disfigure flowstone. Lugged hiking soles tape is best secured on small natural protrusions. Red! made of traditional Vibram~ left scars on this flowstone. white striped flagging may indicate delicate zones out- Some contemporary soles are nonmarking. Test soles side of the trail-marking tape. by striking across limestone or untreated concrete.

Figure 13a (before, at left) and Figure J3b (after, at right). The soft spongy material ofa clean-room foam brush attracts soil particles and muck like a magnet. Plastic handles are preferred for cave restoration. 406 Cave Conservation and Restoration

be cleaned up unless the color has calcited into the flowstone surface (Figures 9 and 10). White- backed flagging does not bleed-for example, red/white candy-striped flagging can be used with the white side placed directly on flow- slone surfaces and neatly secured on natural protrusions (Figure II).

Soft Scrubbers. Black scuff marks, ifnot yet calcited into flowstone, can often be removed with an extremely soil sponge scrubby. Some restaurant-grade glassware sponges have a very soft scrubbing surface laminated on one side of ultra soil, tight-celled, foam material. Harsher dish scrubbers (marketed for nonstick pans) usually fail to remove scuffmarks and will scratch most f1owstone surfaces. Flowstone may be irreparably damaged if cavers try to scrape calcited boot marks ofT. Eventually, calcite layers camouflage the marks-some irritating boot scuffs are best left alone (Figure J 2).

Foam Brushes. Foam brushes with plastic handles are manufactured as clean-room supplies and for PhotoClValHildreth-Werker painting applications. The soft foam attracts muck Figure 14. Transitions from small declivities and speleothems (Figure 13a). are best accomplished by stepping out of Failed Attempts. In attempt to avoid repeat restoration sessions, innovative boots and into flow- techniques have been tried in some cave passages. Beforewarned. these stone shoes already ideas have been abandoned-rubber mats, long-term plastic sheeting, foot- positioned in the clean bath stations-all these create extra problems, tend to become havens for area (or vice-versa). fungi, and simply don't provide the expected benefit of protecting pristine flowstone areas. Simply changing from caving boots to tlowstone shoes works much better (Figure 14). (See cave-friendly footwear, page 431.)

Restricted Access. Passages that are reclaimed or restored to a near pristine appearance may be marked off-limits or may be designated for tlowstone shoes and surgical gloves. (See signs, page 183-185.)

Ilcstoration Kit. To clean a solitary imprint of misplaced mud left on a speleothem, a little water and a small sponge may be adequate. Science, photo, and exploration teams sometimes carry a small restoration kit for correcting inadvertent impacts. (See compact restoration kit, page 212.)

Tools and Supplies for Common Cave Restoration Tasks

This is a general supply list that fits most cave projects involving flowstone or dripstone restoration. Larger, bulky items may be suitable for show caves. However, small, light, compact equipment is more adaptable to travel in wild caves. Only field-tested suggestions are included below.

Very Soft Sponges. Car wash sponges are adequate. Big, blue semi-tight- celled car washing sponges are designed to stay soil and absorbent, plus, the blue pieces arc easier to pick up when sponges begin to deteriorate. The Part 3-Restoration: Hildreth-Werker and Werker-Flowstone and Dripstone 407 softest sponges do a better job of capturing grit and sediment-tight-celled sponges are more absorbent and act like muck magnets. A supply of new sponges should be available for every restoration trip.

Surgical Gloves. Powder-free, non latex surgical gloves are recommended for most cave restoration tasks. (See gloves, page 433-435.)

Hand-Held Spray Bottles. Threads on industrial hand-held spray nozzles fit the threads of flexible Platypus@ bottles and some bottled drinking water containers. The bottom tube of the sprayer mechanism has a plastic crisscross filter that restrains crystals and sediments from blocking the tube and nozzle.

Garden Spra)'crs. Purchase onc- to five-gallon capacity, new, clean, and free of chemical residues. Manually pump pressure into the container to create a mid-force pressurized spray. (For other spray devices see pressur- ized water, page 397-399.)

Buckets. For tedious travel in wild caves, use collapsible or folding buckets with handles.

Extra Sponges or Ljnt~Free Towels. For creating dams to catch restora- tion runoff water.

Brushes. Palm-fitting, hand-sized upholstery brushes with raised handles to prevent scraping knuckles against tlowstone. Found in auto supply outlets.

Foam Brushes. Clean-room foam pads (or foam paint brushes on plastic handles). The soft foam attracts muck from small declivities and speleothems (Figure 13a).

Plastic Scrapers. Collect grit with sparsely bristled brushes (nylon bristles preferred) and sweep the tidbits onto flat, nylon pan-scraping tools made for backpacking.

Small Tools for Detail Work. Fresh. new toothbrushes. Soft bristled paint brushes. Whisk brooms with plastic or nylon bristles. Nylon toothpicks, hard plastic picks, and dental tools. Variety of tweezers (plastic and stainless steel).

Turkey Baster. Draw water with a new. clean turkey baster or a big 60-cc syringe and fill spray bottles.

Zippie Hags. Plastic zip-closure freezer bags, especially the one-gallon and two-gallon sizes.

Flagging Tape. Surveyor's flagging tape for trails and for special areas. On tlowstone. use flagging tape that is white on one side (to prevent color bleeding.) Red and white striped is often used to indicate delicate or pristine areas. (See trails and flagging, pages 178-183 and page 404.) 408 Ca~eConservation and Restoration