Publication: Origin and distribution of mineral species in limestone caves
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© 1971 Waikato Geological Society, The University of Waikato. All items in Research Commons are provided only to permit fair dealing for the purposes of research or private study. They are protected by copyright with all rights reserved unless otherwise indicated.
Abstract
More than 80 mineral species are known to result from secondary chemical reactions in solutional limestone caverns. These minerals are transitional and end-products of carbonate wall rock interactions with ground water and organic residue. Bacteria are often critical in fixing various ions in these reactions. Ultimate source of metallic ions is usually the sulphide minerals weathering in overlying strata, and brought to the cave environment by circulating ground waters. Hydrothermal solutions may bring heavy metallic ion concentrations from deeper strata. About one-third of the known cave mineral species occur in stalactitic form.
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Broughton, P.L. (1971). Origin and distribution of mineral species in limestone caves. Earth Science Journal, 5(1), 36-43.
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Waikato Geological Society, The University of Waikato