Life Without Light: Chemoautotrophically Based Cave Biology

Dr. Serban M. Sarbu 
Professor, University of Cincinnati 

Born in Romania, Dr. Sarbu developed his interest in caves and cave biology partly because Romania is a country containing many caves. He shares photographs and other information from his life-long exploration of caves, including photos of life forms, such as certain insects, that are able to exist in that light-free environment. He explains chemoautotrophical ecosystems - the biology explaining how these various life forms have adapted to living in caves. Dr. Sarbu then describes ongoing research projects that are exploring such cave-related subjects as the geographic extent of the thermal aquifer and origins of subterranean fauna. 

View/Download Transcript 

Recorded: October 31, 2011