Microbial Communities and Associated Mineral Fabrics in Altamira Cave, Spain

Authors

Soledad Cuezva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales
Sergio Sanchez-Moral, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales
Cesareo Saiz-Jimenez, Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiologia
Juan Carlos Cañaveras, Universidad de Alicante

Abstract

Evidences of microbial colonizations were observed in Altamira Cave, Spain. These consisted of distinct small coloured colonies, both on walls and ceiling, mainly located in the area near the cave entrance, which progressed until reaching the Polychromes Hall. The colonizations were characterized by a high morphological and microstructural variability and related to biomineralization processes. Two main types of CaCO₃ deposits were related to the colonies: rosette- or nest-like aggregates of rhombohedral calcite crystals, and spheroid to hemispheroid CaCO₃ elements. Colonies distribution seems to be controlled by microenvironmental conditions inside the cavity. The areas of the cave showing higher temperature, relative humidity, and CO₂ concentration fluctuations presented a minor biomineralization capability.

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.5038/1827-806X.38.1.9

Recommended Citation

Cuezva, Soledad; Sergio Sanchez-Moral; Cesareo Saiz-Jimenez; and Juan Carlos Cañaveras. 2009. Microbial Communities and Associated Mineral Fabrics in Altamira Cave, Spain. International Journal of Speleology, 38: 83-92.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/ijs/vol38/iss1/9