Profiling the Microbial Communities of Brooks Cave in Pennington County, South Dakota

Studies on cave bacteria have been a valuable research area in both geology and biology, providing insights into the evolution of antibiotic resistance, the role of microbes in cave formation, and the impact of human travel on cave environments. In this study, the authors investigated the microbial communities in Brooks Cave, a perched lake in the Madison limestone of the Black Hills. 

The researchers used the vivoPHIX™ system to preserve the samples collected. The aim of the study was to determine the diversity and stability of microbial communities in the lake and determine if there is an intermittent connection between the lake and the aquifer. With continued time-series monitoring, the authors hope to gain a deeper understanding of the water’s previous depth, nutrient availability, and position along hydrologic flow paths.