Commonly, surface streams in karst terrane readily lose water through their beds. Contaminated surface waters entering carbonate rocks may carry toxic substances to subsurface streams. Accidental chemical spills and runoff from highways salted in winter to prevent freezing are just two examples of contamination along transportation corridors. Effluent from commercial and industrial operations along such corridors is also a problem. A Delicate Ecosystem Caves contain fragile organisms that have evolved in the natural underground environment.
Most people think of bats as the most common creature of caves.
On the contrary, there is an amazing variety of cave life. Because these animals are highly adapted to stable ecological surroundings, they are particularly sensitive to disturbances, especially the introduction of foreign substances into the groundwater flowing through caves. This is largely due to the rapid decay of organic matter and consumption of oxygen. Aside from maintaining adequate water resources, it is in the interest of conservation of species endemic to caves that man be concerned with clean groundwater in karst regions. Occasionally the land surface in karst regions may collapse.