Entry and dispersion of microorganisms inside Altamira Cave:New evidences from aerobiological and atmospheric gases surveys

Aerobiological and atmospheric gas surveys reveal that microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, can penetrate deep into Altamira Cave's Well Hall, far from the main entrance. This challenges previous assumptions about microbial entry being solely dependent on atmospheric exchange through the cave's single, elevated entrance. The study combines aerobiological data with multiparametric gas analysis to uncover this novel pathway for microbial dispersion, posing potential risks to the conservation of the UNESCO World Heritage Site's Paleolithic rock art.

(Ed.). (2013). Entry and dispersion of microorganisms inside Altamira Cave:New evidences from aerobiological and atmospheric gases surveys. Science and Technology for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage, 67–70. https://doi.org/10.1201/b15577-16