Articles
First insight on the genesis of iron oxide-hydroxide biospeleothems in Rancho Chico Lava Tube, Mexico
Rafael López-Martínez, Elizabeth Solleiro-Rebolledo, Rocio Alcántara-Hernández, Teresa Pi Puig, Sergey Sedov, Daisy Valera Fernández, M. Nayeli Luis-Vargas, Yasmany Lima Vera, Jesús Solé, and Ramon Espinasa-Pereña
- First report of massive Fe oxide biospeleothems in a Mexican lava tube
- Speleothems are composed of ferrihydrite, halloysite, goethite, and clays
- Microbial features and 16S data confirm Fe-oxidizer-mediated deposition
- Soil processes mobilize Fe, enabling microbial precipitation in lava tubes
- Petrography and geochemistry reveal multiphase, microbially driven genesis
Abiotic factors influencing anuran occupation of Neotropical Brazilian caves
Vinícius F. Sperandei, Willian Vaz-Silva, and Tejerina-Garro L. Francisco
- Anuran cave occupancy is shaped by land use, altitude, and lithology
- Lithologies influence cave microclimates, favoring habitat-restricted species
- Generalist and specialist anurans show distinct responses to environment
- Conservation must include caves, buffer zones, and surrounding geodiversity
- Knowledge gaps in biospeleology stress the need for targeted anuran studies
The taxonomy and origins of folia: a brief review
Donald G. Davis, Louise D. Hose, and Harvey R. DuChene
- All speleothems described as folia demonstrate a few common elements
- Cave folia are genetically associated with fluctuating environmental interfaces.
- Classic folia form by calcite accretion at water-surface interface during descending phases
- Authors recognize seven folia types according to the controlling interface
- Folia have been described as formed by calcite, mud, lava, halite, and sulfur
New evidence of mid-Pleistocene glaciations in the French Jura Mountains using debris flow deposits and U/Th dating of speleothems (Verneau karst network)
Margot Vivier, Stéphane Jaillet, Eglantine Husson, Edwige Pons Branchu, and Jean-Baptiste Charlier
- Debris deposits are associated with ancient fluvio-glacial flows of Rissian glaciation
- Laminated clay deposits indicate ancient flooding in the karst system
- Speleothems surround detrital deposits and link them to the Riss (MIS 8-6)
The relationship between lineaments and cave passages in unfaulted gently-folded strata, Snail Shell Cave, central Tennessee, USA
Mark Abolins, Joseph Firkaly-Paciera, Blake King, Cris Ocasio-Valentin, Jackson Slighter, Teagan Sullivan, and Justin Whited
- Lineaments provide insights into cave passage trend at depths commonly-targeted in groundwater exploration
- When used together, structure contour maps and lineament maps reveal potential sites for water wells
- Findings apply to cratonic strata (dip<5o), lacking mapped macroscale faults
First report of a bat guano fire from a cave in Southeast Asia
Sopark Jantarit, Martin Ellis, Pruet Kalasuwan, Neeranuch Phusunti, Pimonsri Mittraparp-arthorn, Jiranan Pattano, Arnon Chukamnerd, Turdtun Tong-In, and Natthawut Khrueaaunruean
- First record of bat guano combustion in a tropical cave in Northern Thailand
- Physical parameters at the spontaneous combustion site were thoroughly analyzed
- Guano samples were tested for microbes to assess their role in fire generation
- Potential causes of bat guano fires in the area are identified and discussed
- Management implications for guano caves affected by fire are presented
