Diatom, contributors of coralloid speleothems, from Togawa-Sakaidani-Do Cave in Miyazaki Prefecture, Central Kyushu, Japan

Authors

Naruhiko Kashima, Ehime University
Teruo Irie, Cave Research Group of Kumamoto
Nobuhiro Kinoshita, Cave Research Group of Kumamoto

Abstract

Coralloid speleothems are commonly distributed in Togawa-Sakaidani-do Cave in Miyazaki Prefecture, Central Kyushu, but their speleological study has not heretofore been achieved. Light and scanning microscopes analyses revealed that coralloid speleothems consist of alternating layers of diatom colonies, detrital minerals and clay. Electron microprobe analysis shows coralloid speleothems to be silicious. This paper asserts that diatom (genus Melosira) is one of the important contributors to siliceous coralloid speleothems in the threshold zone at non-calcareous caves.

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.5038/1827-806X.16.3.3

Recommended Citation

Kashima, Naruhiko; Teruo Irie; and Nobuhiro Kinoshita. 1987. Diatom, contributors of coralloid speleothems, from Togawa-Sakaidani-Do Cave in Miyazaki Prefecture, Central Kyushu, Japan. International Journal of Speleology, 16: 95-100.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/ijs/vol16/iss3/3