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Guan H, Yang G, Gao J, Lin X, Liu C, Ren H, Chen D, Zhou L, Hu Q, Huang Y, Zhao Y, Tong S, Lu Z, Liu S, Wang D. Sanya climatic-treatment cohort profile: objectives, design, and baseline characteristics. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1290303. [PMID: 37927865 PMCID: PMC10625485 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1290303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The prevalence of allergic diseases has increased globally, climate and environment also have important effects on respiratory or allergic diseases. However, population-based studies investigating the impact of tropical climates and environments on migratory-bird old people (MBOP) are lacking. Methods/Design For this prospective cohort study, we recruited 756 participants from the community in Sanya City, Hainan Province, China. In addition to the completed baseline survey, a follow-up survey will be conducted during the periods of October-December and March-April for the next 3 years of MBEPs from northern China who spend the winter in Sanya. We will continue to record the height, weight, and blood pressure of all participants, as well as lung function for those with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Venous blood at baseline and urine samples will be collected during follow-up. Results A total of 756 volunteers were recruited. Their average age is 66.1 years; 32.1% of them have high-school educations, while 37.3% have graduated from college or done undergraduate studies. The top five diseases in this cohort are allergic rhinitis (57.9%); eczema, urticaria, or dermatitis (35.6%); bronchitis and bronchiectasis (35.6%); asthma (14.7%); and emphysema (11.7%). Compared with their symptoms while at their summer places of residence, rates of remission reported by participants while living in Sanya were 80.4% for allergic rhinitis, 82.3% for bronchitis and emphysema, 85.2% for asthma, 96.0% for COPD (P < 0.001). Conclusions The baseline survey has been completed. The preliminary findings support that a tropical climate may relieve the symptoms of allergic diseases in migratory-bird old people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haidao Guan
- Department of Science and Education, Hainan Branch, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Sanya, China
| | - Guiyan Yang
- Department of Hospital Management, Hainan Branch, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Sanya, China
| | - Jiashi Gao
- Department of Science and Education, Hainan Branch, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Sanya, China
| | - Xiaoya Lin
- Department of Science and Education, Hainan Branch, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Sanya, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Science and Education, Hainan Branch, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Sanya, China
| | - Han Ren
- Department of Hospital Management, Hainan Branch, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Sanya, China
| | - Duyue Chen
- Department of Hospital Management, Hainan Branch, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Sanya, China
| | - Lingyao Zhou
- Department of Hospital Management, Hainan Branch, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Sanya, China
| | - Qian Hu
- Department of Hospital Infection, Hainan Branch, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Sanya, China
| | - Yongzhen Huang
- Department of Hospital Infection, Hainan Branch, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Sanya, China
| | - Yumei Zhao
- Department of Nursing, Hainan Branch, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Sanya, China
| | - Shilu Tong
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Children Health Advocacy Institute, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Zhaohui Lu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hainan Branch, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Sanya, China
| | - Shijian Liu
- Department of Science and Education, Hainan Branch, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Sanya, China
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Children Health Advocacy Institute, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Big Center, Hainan Branch, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Sanya, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Department of Science and Education, Hainan Branch, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Sanya, China
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Mętel S, Kostrzon M, Adamiak J, Janus P. Respiratory Muscle Function in Older Adults with Chronic Respiratory Diseases after Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Subterranean Salt Chambers. J Clin Med 2023; 12:5120. [PMID: 37568522 PMCID: PMC10419711 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12155120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Training the respiratory muscles is a crucial aspect of pulmonary rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to assess the function of respiratory muscles in older adults both before and after a period of pulmonary rehabilitation and treatment stay within the underground chambers of a salt mine. A total of 50 patients aged 65 years and older with chronic respiratory conditions was enrolled in the study. These participants underwent a 3-week subterranean pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) program in the "Wieliczka" Salt Mine. Levels of sniff nasal inspiratory pressure (SNIP), maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) were measured using the MicroRPM both before and after the outpatient PR program conducted 135 m underground. A total of 44 patients with a mean age of 68.8 ± 2.9 years who completed the PR program and tests were included in the analysis. The average changes in the parameters of pulmonary function before and after the PR were: MIP 8.8 cmH2O, MEP 7.1 cmH2O, and SNIP 11.2 cmH2O (for p < 0.05). For patients older than 70 years, beneficial changes were only observed for MEP, which increased by 9.3 cmH2O (for p < 0.05). Speleotherapy combined with pulmonary rehabilitation improves respiratory muscle function in older adults with chronic respiratory diseases, mainly in terms of MEP. Therefore, a greater emphasis on inspiratory muscle training in the rehabilitation program should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia Mętel
- Department of Motor Rehabilitation, Institute of Applied Sciences, University of Physical Education in Krakow, 31-571 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Magdalena Kostrzon
- ‘Wieliczka’ Salt Mine Health Resort, 32-020 Wieliczka, Poland; (M.K.); (P.J.)
| | - Justyna Adamiak
- Department of Motor Rehabilitation, Institute of Applied Sciences, University of Physical Education in Krakow, 31-571 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Paweł Janus
- ‘Wieliczka’ Salt Mine Health Resort, 32-020 Wieliczka, Poland; (M.K.); (P.J.)
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Li H, Browning MHEM, Rigolon A, Larson LR, Taff D, Labib SM, Benfield J, Yuan S, McAnirlin O, Hatami N, Kahn PH. Beyond "bluespace" and "greenspace": A narrative review of possible health benefits from exposure to other natural landscapes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 856:159292. [PMID: 36208731 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Numerous studies have highlighted the physical and mental health benefits of contact with nature, typically in landscapes characterized by plants (i.e., "greenspace") and water (i.e., "bluespace"). However, natural landscapes are not always green or blue, and the effects of other landscapes are worth attention. This narrative review attempts to overcome this limitation of past research. Rather than focusing on colors, we propose that natural landscapes are composed of at least one of three components: (1) plants (e.g., trees, flowering plants, grasses, sedges, mosses, ferns, and algae), (2) water (e.g., rivers, canals, lakes, and oceans), and/or (3) rocks and minerals, including soil. Landscapes not dominated by plants or liquid-state water include those with abundant solid-state water (e.g., polar spaces) and rocks or minerals (e.g., deserts and caves). Possible health benefits of solid-state water or rock/mineral dominated landscapes include both shorter-term (e.g., viewing images) and longer-term (e.g., living in these landscapes) exposure durations. Reported benefits span improved emotional and mental states and medical treatment resources for respiratory conditions and allergies. Mechanisms underlying the health benefits of exposure consist of commonly discussed theories in the "greenspace" and "bluespace" literature (i.e., instoration and restoration) as well as less discussed pathways in that literature (i.e., post-traumatic growth, self-determination, supportive environment theory, and place attachment). This is the first review to draw attention to the potential salutogenic value of natural landscapes beyond "greenspace" and "bluespace." It is also among the first to highlight the limitations and confusion that result from classifying natural landscapes using color. Since the extant literature on natural landscapes - beyond those with abundant plants or liquid-state water - is limited in regard to quantity and quality, additional research is needed to understand their restorative potential and therapeutic possibilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hansen Li
- Institute of Sports Science, College of Physical Education, Southwest University, Chongqing 8400715, China
| | - Matthew H E M Browning
- Virtual Reality & Nature Lab, Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA.
| | - Alessandro Rigolon
- Department of City and Metropolitan Planning, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
| | - Lincoln R Larson
- Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
| | - Derrick Taff
- Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
| | - S M Labib
- Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, 3584, CB, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jacob Benfield
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, Abington, PA, USA.
| | - Shuai Yuan
- Virtual Reality & Nature Lab, Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA.
| | - Olivia McAnirlin
- Virtual Reality & Nature Lab, Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA.
| | - Nazanin Hatami
- Virtual Reality & Nature Lab, Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Peter H Kahn
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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Huber D, Freidl J, Pichler C, Bischof M, Kiem M, Weisböck-Erdheim R, Squarra G, De Nigris V, Resnyak S, Neberich M, Bordin S, Zechner R, Hartl A. Long-Term Effects of Mountain Hiking vs. Forest Therapy on Physical and Mental Health of Couples: A Randomized Controlled Trial. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20021469. [PMID: 36674227 PMCID: PMC9859399 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lifelong physical activity is related to longer health span, which is reflected at an individual level, and is of substantial socioeconomic relevance. Sedentary lifestyles, on the other hand, pose an increasingly major public health problem. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on activity levels and well-being. Previous research indicates that contact with nature might improve exercise levels as well as well-being. METHODS This randomized, controlled clinical trial (ANKER-study) investigated the effects of two types of nature-based therapies (forest therapy and mountain hiking) in couples (FTG: n = 23; HG: n = 22;) with a sedentary or inactive lifestyle on health-related quality of life, relationship quality and other psychological and physiological parameters. RESULTS The results of this study displayed that healthy and highly functioning women and men with sedentary lifestyles mentally benefit from contact with nature (quality of life, satisfaction with life, mood, internal and external health-related control beliefs). The gender-specific effect on women is most visible in the physiological outcomes (hemopoietic system, aerobic capacity, skeletal muscle mass and hydration) of mountain hiking. Men and women showed small improvements in blood pressure as a result of the interventions. CONCLUSIONS The ANKER-study provides a method for valid comparison of forest therapy interventions for the first time. Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the nature-based intervention presented could offer a multimodal contribution to maintaining a more active lifestyle, further contact with nature that affects peoples physical as well as mental health, and an improvement in social interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Huber
- Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Johanna Freidl
- Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Christina Pichler
- Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Michael Bischof
- Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Martin Kiem
- Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide, 39010 Tisens, Italy
| | | | | | - Vincenzo De Nigris
- Institute of Sports Medicine, South Tyrol Health Authority, 39100 Bozen, Italy
| | - Stefan Resnyak
- Institute of Sports Medicine, South Tyrol Health Authority, 39100 Bozen, Italy
| | - Marcel Neberich
- Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Susanna Bordin
- Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - René Zechner
- Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Arnulf Hartl
- Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
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Mętel S, Kostrzon M, Adamiak J. Dynamic Balance and Chest Mobility of Older Adults after Speleotherapy Combined with Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Endurance and Strength Training-A Prospective Study in Chronic Respiratory Diseases. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph191811760. [PMID: 36142033 PMCID: PMC9517220 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191811760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUNDS As people age, they are more likely to experience balance disturbances. Pulmonary rehabilitation is recognized as a core component in the management of older adults with chronic respiratory diseases. The aim of the study was to assess the dynamic balance and chest mobility of older adults participating in speleotherapy combined with pulmonary rehabilitation, endurance and strength training. METHODS The study group consisted of 51 older adults with chronic respiratory disorders who participated in a 3-week pulmonary rehabilitation programme in underground salt chambers in the 'Wieliczka' Salt Mine Health Resort. These individuals underwent the Four Square Step Test (FSST) and circumferential chest mobility measurement before and after the outpatient rehabilitation programme conducted 135 m underground. RESULTS Before rehabilitation in the underground salt chambers, half of the results (50%, 22 patients) were below the norm in the assessment of chest mobility between maximal inhale and exhale. The average time needed to perform FSST decreased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) from 10.2 ± 1.9 s before the stay to 9.1 ± 1.7 s after the stay and the average increase in chest mobility increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) from 4.5 ± 5.5 cm to 5.4 ± 2.8 cm. CONCLUSIONS Speleotherapy combined with pulmonary rehabilitation, endurance and strength training increased the dynamic balance and chest mobility of older adults with chronic respiratory diseases, as measured by the FSST and circumferential chest expansion assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia Mętel
- Institute of Applied Sciences, University of Physical Education in Krakow, 31-571 Krakow, Poland
| | - Magdalena Kostrzon
- ‘Wieliczka’ Salt Mine Health Resort in Wieliczka, 32-020 Wieliczka, Poland
| | - Justyna Adamiak
- Institute of Applied Sciences, University of Physical Education in Krakow, 31-571 Krakow, Poland
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Mętel S, Kostrzon M, Adamiak J, Gattner H, Sintonen HP, Horst R. Pulmonary rehabilitation in subterranean chambers combined with neuro-orthopedic activity-dependent plasticity therapy influences patients’ quality of life – A preliminary study. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2022; 48:101609. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2022.101609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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7
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Hubelova D, Ulmann V, Mikuska P, Licbinsky R, Alexa L, Modra H, Gersl M, Babak V, Weston RT, Pavlik I. Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Prevalence in Aerosol and Spiders' Webs in Karst Caves: Low Risk for Speleotherapy. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9122573. [PMID: 34946174 PMCID: PMC8705795 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9122573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A total of 152 aerosol and spider web samples were collected: 96 spider’s webs in karst areas in 4 European countries (Czech Republic, France, Italy, and Slovakia), specifically from the surface environment (n = 44), photic zones of caves (n = 26), and inside (aphotic zones) of caves (n = 26), 56 Particulate Matter (PM) samples from the Sloupsko-Sosuvsky Cave System (speleotherapy facility; n = 21) and from aerosol collected from the nearby city of Brno (n = 35) in the Czech Republic. Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) were isolated from 13 (13.5%) spider’s webs: 5 isolates of saprophytic NTM (Mycobacterium gordonae, M. kumamotonense, M. terrae, and M. terrae complex) and 6 isolates of potentially pathogenic NTM (M. avium ssp. hominissuis, M. fortuitum, M. intracellulare, M. peregrinum and M. triplex). NTM were not isolated from PM collected from cave with the speleotherapy facility although mycobacterial DNA was detected in 8 (14.3%) samples. Temperature (8.2 °C, range 8.0–8.4 °C) and relative humidity (94.7%, range 93.6–96.6%) of air in this cave were relatively constant. The average PM2.5 and PM10 mass concentration was 5.49 µg m−3 and 11.1 µg m−3. Analysed anions (i.e., F−, Cl−, NO2−, SO42−, PO43− and NO3−) originating largely from the burning of wood and coal for residential heating in nearby villages in the surrounding area. The air in the caves with speleotherapy facilities should be monitored with respect to NTM, PM and anions to ensure a safe environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Hubelova
- Faculty of Regional Development and International Studies, Mendel University in Brno, Tr. Generala Piky 7, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (D.H.); (H.M.)
| | - Vit Ulmann
- Public Health Institute Ostrava, Partyzanske Nam. 7, 702 00 Ostrava, Czech Republic;
| | - Pavel Mikuska
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry of the CAS, Veveri 97, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (P.M.); (L.A.)
| | - Roman Licbinsky
- Transport Research Centre, Lisenska 33a, 636 00 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | - Lukas Alexa
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry of the CAS, Veveri 97, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (P.M.); (L.A.)
| | - Helena Modra
- Faculty of Regional Development and International Studies, Mendel University in Brno, Tr. Generala Piky 7, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (D.H.); (H.M.)
| | - Milan Gersl
- Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1/1665, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | - Vladimir Babak
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, 621 00 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | - Ross Tim Weston
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia;
| | - Ivo Pavlik
- Faculty of Regional Development and International Studies, Mendel University in Brno, Tr. Generala Piky 7, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (D.H.); (H.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +420-773-491-836
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Halotherapy-An Ancient Natural Ally in the Management of Asthma: A Comprehensive Review. Healthcare (Basel) 2021; 9:healthcare9111604. [PMID: 34828649 PMCID: PMC8623171 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9111604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Revised: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing production of modern medication emerges as a new source of environmental pollution. The scientific community is interested in developing alternative, ecological therapies in asthma. Halotherapy proved its benefits in asthma diagnosis, treatment, and prevention and may represent a reliable therapeutic addition to the allopathic treatment, due to its ecological and environment-friendly nature, in order to prevent or prolong the time to exacerbations in patients with asthma. We aimed to review up-to-date research regarding halotherapy benefits in asthma comprehensively. We searched the electronic databases of PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE for studies that evaluated the exposure of asthmatic patients to halotherapy. Eighteen original articles on asthma were included. Five studies in adults and five in children assessed the performance of hypertonic saline bronchial challenges to diagnose asthma or vocal cord dysfunction in asthmatic patients. Three papers evaluated the beneficial effects of halotherapy on mucociliary clearance in asthmatic adults. The therapeutic effect of halotherapy on acute or chronic asthma was appraised in three studies in adults and one in children. The preventive role was documented in one paper reporting the ability of halotherapy to hinder nocturnal asthma exacerbations. All studies seem to sustain the overall positive effects of halotherapy as adjuvant therapy on asthma patients with no reported adverse events. Halotherapy is a crucial natural ally in asthma, but further evidence-based studies on larger populations are needed.
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Mineralogical and Chemical Tracing of Dust Variation in an Underground Historic Salt Mine. MINERALS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/min11070686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the causes of the evolution of atmospheric dust composition in an open-to-public subterranean site (UNESCO-recognized historic mine) at increasing distances from the air intake. The role of the components imported with atmospheric air from the surface was compared with natural and anthropogenic sources of dust from inside the mine. Samples of deposited dust were directly collected from flat surfaces at 11 carefully selected sites. The morphological, mineralogical, and chemical characteristics were obtained using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy (ICP). The study showed that the air in the underground salt mine was free of pollutants present in the ambient air on the surface. Most of the components sucked into the mine by the ventilation system from the surface (regular dust, particulate matter, gaseous pollutants, biogenic particles, etc.) underwent quick and instantaneous sedimentation in the close vicinity of the air inlet to the mine. The dust settled in the mine interior primarily consisted of natural geogenic particles, locally derived from the weathering of the host rock (halite, anhydrite, and aluminosilicates). This was confirmed by low values of enrichment factors (EF) calculated for minor and trace elements. Only one site, due to the tourist railroad and the associated local intensive tourist traffic, represented the anthropogenic sources of elevated concentrations of ferruginous particles and accompanied metals (P, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, As, Mo, Cd, Sn, Sb, Pb, and W). The gravitational deposition of pollutants from these sources limits the effects of the emissions to the local range. The used methodology and the results are universal and might also apply to other mines, caves, or underground installations used for museums, tourists, or speleotherapeutic purposes.
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