Abstract：
Natural and human-induced toxic elements can accumulate in the environment, posing significant risks to human health and ecosystems. This study explores cave bat guano, an unconventional and relatively under-researched environmental repository, to reveal historical pollution trends and sources. Through trace elements analysis of a 1.5-m-thick guano deposit from Zidită Cave (Romania), we track changes in mining and metallurgy from 1000 CE-2012. We identified substantial pollution primarily from porphyry copper and Au-Ag-Te mines, but also impacts from usage of leaded gasoline and agricultural practices. Our record shows disruptions caused by the Bubonic plague around 1250 CE and a major surge ∼ 1500 CE. After the decline triggered by the European silver market collapse in 1525 CE, our study reveals a brief mining revival. This resurgence was followed by a continuous decline lasting until the early 1800s, driven by socio-economic upheavals and recurrent outbreaks of the bubonic plagues. The Industrial Revolution sparked prolonged growth that lasted until 1989 CE, only briefly interrupted by the Great Depression and World War II. Consequently, cave bat guano proves to be a critical resource for understanding spatial pollution patterns, both locally and regionally, and for identifying specific pollution sources.
摘要：
自然和人为的有毒元素可以在环境中积累，对人类健康和生态系统构成重大风险。这项研究探索了洞穴蝙蝠鸟粪，一个非常规和相对研究不足的环境储存库，揭示历史污染趋势和来源。通过对ZiditāCave（罗马尼亚）的1.5米厚的鸟粪矿床进行微量元素分析，我们跟踪采矿和冶金从公元1000年到2012年的变化。我们确定了主要来自斑岩铜矿和Au-Ag-Te矿的大量污染，但也受到含铅汽油的使用和农业实践的影响。我们的记录显示，由公元1250年左右的Bubonic鼠疫和公元1500年的大规模激增引起的破坏。在公元1525年欧洲白银市场崩溃引发的下跌之后，我们的研究揭示了短暂的矿业复苏。这种复苏之后是持续下降，一直持续到1800年代初，受社会经济动荡和鼠疫反复爆发的驱动。工业革命引发了长期的增长，一直持续到1989年，只是被大萧条和第二次世界大战短暂中断。因此,洞穴蝙蝠鸟粪被证明是理解空间污染模式的关键资源，无论是本地还是区域，并用于识别特定的污染源。
