The Ayalon Cave (Hebrew: מערת איילון, Arabic/Aramaic, Shiha شيحا) is a large limestone cave near Ramla, Israel, with a worldwide unique ecosystem. As photosynthesis is not possible inside the completely dark cave, the food chain that developed inside is solely based on bacteria capable of chemosynthesis: the bacteria are consuming the anorganic matter available in the groundwater, and then themselves become the organic food source for the rest of the food chain. As of 2021, Ayalon Cave was one of less than 10 such subterranean ecosystems known in the world, with each of them being distinctly different from the rest.[1] Eight new invertebrate species were discovered there in April 2006 - four seawater and freshwater crustaceans along with four terrestrial animals, one of them a species of blind scorpion – with many more expected to be discovered.[2]
| Ayalon Cave | |
|---|---|
 Large chamber with cave lake in Ayalon Cave | |
  | |
| Location | Ramla, Israel |
| Coordinates | 31°54′37″N 34°55′39″E / 31.91028°N 34.92750°E |
| Depth | 100 metres (330 ft) |
| Length | 2,700 metres (8,900 ft) |
| Discovery | 2006 |
| Geology | Limestone |
Discovery and description
editAccording to historian Roy Marom, the existence of significant caves on the site was known to the ancients. In the 16th century, the site is recorded as Mazraʽat šīḥah /Mazraʽat šīḥa/ [54], “the farm of the pit, cavity, ditch”, from Aramaic šyḥ’, exemplifiying and motivated by the fact that the site has dozens of caves and underground caverns. In the 19th century, the site was known as muġur šīḥa ("Shiha Caves").[3]
The cave was rediscovered in 2006 when a small opening was discerned in the quarry.[4]
The cave, 100 metres (330 ft) deep, extends 2,700 metres (8,900 ft) including its branches, which makes it the third-largest limestone cave in Israel.[5]
Significance
editAccording to Professor Amos Frumkin of the Hebrew University, the cave is unique in that a thick layer of limestone left it impermeable to any water coming from the surface. It has been studied for its complex food web, which survived for millions of years without light or organic food coming in from the surface, being based solely on a type of bacterium which feeds on sulfur which serves as the only organic matter available for the next higher level of organisms to feed on. The cave has offered an ecological refuge for species whose relatives living at the surface have been wiped out by climatic changes and catastrophic events over millions of years, and offers a unique sample for the study of long-term ecological changes in the area.[5]
Ecosystem
editPhotosynthesis-free food chain
editAs the cave was completely cut off from the outside environment, it sustained an independent ecosystem; this ecosystem relied for an energy source neither on sunlight and photosynthesis, nor on an external source of organic compounds. Rather, energy was extracted by chemoautotrophic bacteria, living in a film on top of the water of an underground lake. These bacteria produce energy by oxidizing the sulfide compounds in the water, and derive organic compounds using carbon dioxide from the air. These compounds form the basis of the cave's ecosystem. The temperature and salt content of the cave's water indicates that it originates from sources deep underground. Although this cave is part of an aquifer fed by rain falling in the mountains to the east, which happens to be one of the main potable water sources for Israel and the Palestinian territories, chemically more complex sources can create local pockets with very specific water composition.[citation needed]
New species
editResearchers announced that they had discovered eight species previously unknown to science, all without eyes, comprising four aquatic crustacean species and four other species of terrestrial crustaceans and springtails.[5]
A species of eyeless troglobitic scorpion representing an unknown taxonomic family was discovered only a decade or so after its extinction. This was probably caused by overpumping of the ground water, which has led the underground lake to shrink, and with it the food supply to dwindle. The ten specimen found dead in the cave are exceptionally well preserved and allowed the conclusion that they used a motion detecting organ situated on their abdomen for orientation. The species was given the name Akrav israchanani, from the Hebrew word for scorpion, "akrav", and honouring the researchers who identified it, Israel Naaman and Hanan Dimentman.[5]
2021 destruction threat averted
editThe cave is located on the premises of a limestone quarry owned by the cement manufacturing Nesher Industries.[1] As of 2021, a new railway line required that the Ayalon River valley be narrowed, and the National Infrastructure Committee together with the Water Authority were planning to divert runoff water in winter so as to avoid flooding by the Ayalon River, the quarry with the Ayalon Cave having been proposed as a possible catchment pool.[1] Various scientists and the Israel Nature and Parks Authority have been opposed to the idea, with an online public signature collection supporting their position.[1]
Scientists argued that a massive influx of surface runoff water, which is totally different from the groundwater on which the unique cave ecosystem is based, would be sure to destroy it.[1] The intervention by Israeli and foreign researchers and the public petition has saved the cave's ecosystem, the authorities deciding for a different technical solution.[6]
Access
editThe cave is not accessible to the public. Only a small number of researchers are allowed to enter.[5]
See also
edit- Ophel biome, proposed worldwide biome supporting similar ecosystems
- Similar caves where life partly or fully depends on chemosynthesis: Movile Cave in Romania, the first one identified, Ein-Nur Cave (Israel), Frasassi Caves (Italy), Melissotrypa Cave (Elassona municipality, Greece), Tashan Cave (Iran), caves in the Sharo-Argun Valley in the Caucasus Mountains, Lower Kane Cave, Cesspool Cave (Wyoming and Alleghany County, VA, USA), and Villa Luz Cave (Mexico).[7][8]
- Typhlocaris galilea, cave-dwelling blind shrimp and relative of one of the Ayalon Cave species, found only in Ein-Nur Cave
- Subterranean fauna
- Troglofauna, small animals living in caves
- Stygofauna, fauna living in groundwater and aquifers
- Nesher Ramla Homo, hominin population whose fossils were discovered in the same area[9]
- Nesher-Ramla hiding complex (1st century BCE-1st c. CE) also discovered within the Nesher quarry
- Soreq Cave, relatively nearby show cave
- Geography of Israel
- Wildlife of Israel
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "Scientists warn that flooding cave will ruin unique 5-million-year-old ecosystem". Sue Surkes for Times of Israel. 4 June 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Unique Underground Ecosystem Revealed by Hebrew University Researchers Uncovers Eight Previously Unknown Species." Hebrew University Press release, 31 May 2006. Re-accessed 22 March 2024.
- ^ Marom, Roy; Zadok, Ran (2023). "Early-Ottoman Palestinian Toponymy: A Linguistic Analysis of the (Micro-)Toponyms in Haseki Sultan's Endowment Deed (1552)". Zeitschrift des Deutschen Palästina-Vereins. 139 (2).
- ^ "Scientists Discover Prehistoric Cave With Eight New Species in Ramle". Haaretz. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
- ^ a b c d e "One year later, 'Noah's Ark' cave is no longer a safe haven". Haaretz. 19 July 2007. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
- ^ "Unique Ayalon Cave ecosystem saved from destruction", Lior Peleg for Israel Hayom, 14 Sep 2021. Accessed 22 March 2024.
- ^ Sârbu, Şerban M. "The fascinating biology of stinky caves", - ARPHA Conference Abstracts, 25th International Conference on Subterranean Biology, Cluj-Napoca, 18-22 July 2022. Re-accessed 23 March 2024.
- ^ Chiciudean, I., Russo, G., Bogdan, D.F. et al. "Competition-cooperation in the chemoautotrophic ecosystem of Movile Cave: first metagenomic approach on sediments." Environmental Microbiome 17, 44 (2022). Permanent doi
.org /10 .1186 /s40793-022-00438-w. Re-accessed 23 March 2024. - ^ "The True History of Ancient Jewish Underground Hiding Places in Israel". Ariel David for Haaretz. 18 January 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
External links
edit
- National Geographic
- A. Frumkin and H. Gvirtzman (2006). "Cross-formational rising groundwater at an artesian karstic basin: the Ayalon Saline Anomaly, Israel" (PDF). Journal of Hydrology. 318 (1–4): 316–333. Bibcode:2006JHyd..318..316F. doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2005.06.026. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-19. Retrieved 2010-07-02.