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Publication Date
4-2011
Publication Title
Acta Carsologica
Volume Number
40
Issue Number
2
Abstract
Sulfate and phosphate deposits at Jenolan Caves occur in a va- riety of forms and compositions including crusts, ‘flowers’ and fibrous masses of gypsum (selenite), and clusters of boss-like speleothems (potatoes) of ardealite (calcium sulphate, phos- phate hydrate) with associated gypsum. This boss-like mor- phology of ardealite does not appear to have been previously described in the literature and this is the first report of ardealite in New South Wales. Gypsum var. selenite occurs in close association with pyrite-bearing palaeokarst, while the ardealite gypsum association appears to relate to deposits of mineralised bat guano. Isotope studies confirm that the two gypsum suites have separate sources of sulfur, one from the weathering of py- rite (-1.4 to +4.9 δ34S) for gypsum (selenite) and the other from alteration of bat guano (+11.4 to +12.9 δ34S) for the ardealite and gypsum crusts.
Keywords
Sulfate, Phosphate, Gypsum, Ardealite, Speleothem, Bosses
Geographic Subject
Jenolan Caves (Australia)
Document Type
Article
Language
English and Slovenian
Identifier
K26-00194
Recommended Citation
Pogson, Ross E.; Osborne, R. Armstrong L.; and Colchester, David M., "Sulfate and Phosphate Speleothems at Jenolan CAves, New South Wales, Australia" (2011). KIP Articles. 84.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/kip_articles/84