International Journal of Speleology

Article Title

Guano-derived morphologies and associated minerals found in Cova de sa Guitarreta, Llucmajor, Balearics

Authors

Antonio Merino Juncadella, Universitat de les Illes Balears, SpainFollow
Joan J. Fornós, Universitat de les Illes Balears, SpainFollow
Antoni Mulet, Federació Balear d'EspeleologiaFollow
Joaquín Ginés, Universitat de les Illes Balears, SpainFollow

Highlights

• New method for measuring unreachable morphologies and utilization of thermograph camera
• Bat-derived morphologies: Biomechanical erosion and features related to guano deposits
• Microclimate constraints on the genesis of bell holes and deposition of phosphates
• Description of guano-related cave minerals. Dichotomy between struvite and newberyite
• Acidic profiles, pH, and guano-related mineral genesis

Abstract

Cova de sa Guitarreta is located in the southern part of Mallorca Island (western Mediterranean). It was formed presumably by hypogenic processes in Upper Miocene reefal calcarenites. The cave hosts an important breeding colony of bats during the end of spring and early summer. Its microclimate is influenced by the presence of a thermal phreatic water table (27.7ºC) as well as by bat populations remaining in the cave along the reproductive season. The morphological bat-related features include bat claws and thumb marks scratches, together with several morphologies linked to bat excreta and aggressive leachates from guano. From the mineralogical point of view, this cave outstands regarding the presence of cave minerals linked to guano: nine phosphates have been identified, comprising three of them that are reported for the first time in Mallorcan caves (newberyite, struvite and whitlockite). Particularly interesting is the dichotomy between struvite and newberyite: the first one occurs when the cave is occupied by bat colonies (spring-summer), whereas in the colder seasons would occur the transformation of metastable struvite into a more stable newberyite. Caves with seasonal cyclical occupation of bat colonies could provide a new arena for the study of the guano-related mineral assemblages.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5038/1827-806X.51.1.2410

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Merino, A., Fornós, J.J., Mulet, A., Ginés, J., 2022. Guano-derived morphologies and associated minerals in Cova de sa Guitarreta, Llucmajor, Balearic Islands. International Journal of Speleology, 51(1), 43-58. https://doi.org/10.5038/1827-806X.51.1.2410