Cave aerosols: distribution and contribution to speleothem geochemistry

Dredge, J. A.; Fairchild, Ian J.; Harrison, Roy M.; Fernández-Cortés, Ángel; Sánchez‐Moral, Sergio; Jurado, Valme; Gunn, John; Smith, Andrew; Spötl, Christoph; Mattey, Dave; Wynn, P.; Grassineau, Nathalie

doi:10.1016/j.quascirev.2012.11.016

Cited by 81 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 84 publications

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“…Secondary microbial feedback processes resulting in increased concentration of aerosol particulates on specific surfaces are also considered to be a reliable mechanism in a review on cave aerosol deposition by Dredge et al . ().…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These processes could result in a 'wet deposition' mechanism because aerosols act as nucleation sites for vapour condensation, producing mineral deposition on cave walls. Moreover, Dredge et al (2013) observed that cave morphology controls the transportation and deposition of aerosol particulates through a cave network. Surface irregularities, and in particular prominent features, will result in air turbulence, causing increasing particle collisions with the walls and therefore greater deposition at specific sites.…”

Section: Aerosol Sulphate Precipitation and Potential Biological Intementioning

confidence: 99%

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Source and genesis of sulphate and phosphate–sulphate minerals in a quartz‐sandstone cave environment

et al. 2014

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Gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O), alunite (KAl3(SO4)2(OH)6), and rare phosphate–sulphate sanjuanite Al2(PO4)(SO4)(OH) 9(H2O) and rossiantonite (Al3(PO4)(SO4) 2(OH)2(H2O)14) have recently been identified as secondary mineral deposits in different quartz‐sandstone caves in the Gran Sabana region, Venezuela. Due to the extended time scale required for speleogenesis in the hard and barely soluble quartz‐sandstone lithology, these caves are considered to be as old as 20 to 30 My. The study of these peculiar secondary mineral deposits potentially reveals important insights for understanding the interaction between deep, superficial and atmospheric processes over thousands to perhaps millions of years. In this study, chemical and petrographic analyses of potential host rock sources, sulphur and oxygen isotope ratios, and meteorological, hydrological and geographical data are used to investigate the origin of sulphates and phospho–sulphates. The results suggest that the deposition of sulphates in these caves is not linked to the quartz‐sandstone host rock. Rather, these mineral deposits originate from an external atmospheric sulphate source, with potential contributions of marine non‐sea salt sulphates, terrestrial dimethyl sulphide and microbially reduced H2S from the forests or peatbogs within the watershed. Air currents within the caves are the most plausible means of transport for aerosols, driving the accumulation of sulphates and other secondary minerals in specific locations. Moreover, the studied sulphate minerals often co‐occur with silica speleothems of biological origin. Although this association would suggest a possible biogenic origin for the sulphates as well, direct evidence proving that microbes are involved in their formation is absent. Nonetheless, this study demonstrates that these quartz‐sandstone caves accumulate and preserve allogenic sulphates, playing a yet unrecognized role in the sulphur cycle of tropical environments.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Aerosol Sulphate Precipitation and Potential Biological Intementioning

confidence: 99%

Source and genesis of sulphate and phosphate–sulphate minerals in a quartz‐sandstone cave environment

et al. 2014

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“…4, as these are fundamental to the interpretation of the results. The dominant components of exogenous material in the guano cave profiles occur via excrement of bats and birds, including dust (e.g., clay and aerosols), pollen, inorganic and organic material (e.g., keratin, chitin, lipids) (Shahack- Gross et al 2004;Maher 2006), with a negligible amount of aerosols being brought into the cave via other means (Hunt and Rushworth 2005;Dredge et al 2013). Excrement in avian and mammalian fauna is commonly high in nutrients such as N, P, K, and S (Hutchinson 1950).…”

Section: Mineral Formation In Guano Profilesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The biogeochemistry of insectivorous cave guano: a case study from insular Southeast Asia

et al. 2015

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Cave guano derived from insectivorous bats and birds contain unique geochemical and mineralogical signatures. We investigated the mineralogy, pH, C, N and metal abundance patterns of cave guano spatially and temporally (with depth) along a W-E transect in Malaysia and Palawan from five remote cave sites, each housing large populations of bats and Aerodramus spp.(cave swiftlets). Guano deposits were rich in phosphate and/or sulphate minerals (e.g., gypsum, bassanite) with leucophosphite, spheniscidite, and variscite present in most profiles. Metal abundances measured from modern and ancient bat guano revealed high concentrations of transition metals relative to the local environment. Highly enriched metals, however, were associated with phosphate rather than sulphate minerals. Copper and Zn were enriched in all profiles, whereas other metals were associated with specific caves consistent with known local mineral resources. For example, Sn, Pb, and Rb were particularly enriched in Batu Cave, located in the Peninsular Malaysian granitic tin belt, whereas Ni and Cr were high in regions associated with ultramafic ophiolites and Ni-laterites found on Palawan.

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“…These calcite grains and soil lumps were most likely brought to the cave and redeposited by flash floods (Karkanas et al, 2008). On the other hand, the fine grains as coarse aerosols can also be transported into caves through air exchange, and then deposited and/or incorporated into flowstones (Dredge et al, 2013). Furthermore, in order to examine clastic material within the limestone bedrock, about 1 kg of limestone was dissolved in 10% HCl in our laboratory, and no insoluble materials are left after dissolution.…”

Section: Mineral Componentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optical dating of flowstone and silty carbonate-rich sediments from Panxian Dadong Cave, Guizhou, southwestern China

Zhang

Huang

et al. 2015

Quaternary Geochronology

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Cave aerosols: distribution and contribution to speleothem geochemistry

Cited by 81 publications

References 84 publications

Source and genesis of sulphate and phosphate–sulphate minerals in a quartz‐sandstone cave environment

Source and genesis of sulphate and phosphate–sulphate minerals in a quartz‐sandstone cave environment

The biogeochemistry of insectivorous cave guano: a case study from insular Southeast Asia

Optical dating of flowstone and silty carbonate-rich sediments from Panxian Dadong Cave, Guizhou, southwestern China

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