Calcite Moonmilk: Crystal Morphology and Environment of Formation in Caves in the Italian Alps

Borsato, Andrea; Frisia, Silvia; Jones, Brian; Borg, Klaas van der

doi:10.1306/032300701171

Cited by 125 publications

(166 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Inorganic origin is possible when precipitation occurs from highly supersaturated solutions obtained during rapid evaporation, which leads to crystals with atypical shapes such as dendrites, needles, and whisker crystals (James, 1972;Riche et al, 1982;Jones and Ng, 1988;Jones and Kahle, 1993;Borsato et al, 2000). Nevertheless, highly supersaturated solutions can also be locally obtained during root activity and exchanges in the rhizosphere between root cells and soil solutions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biologically induced accumulations of CaCO3 in orthox soils of Biga, Ivory Coast

Cailleau¹,

Braissant²,

Dupraz³

et al. 2005

CATENA

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Biologically induced accumulations of calcium carbonate have been found inside orthox soils, under and around the native iroko tree Milicia excelsa (Moraceae) in Biga (Ivory Coast). The nature of these accumulations and their origin were studied in two soil profiles, directly under the tree and at a distance of 30 cm from the trunk. Microscale forms of CaCO 3 include: (1) wood pseudomorphic structures such as parenchyma cells, cellulose fibers, and calcitic vessel infillings; (2) three types of rhombohedra; and (3) needle fiber calcite (NFC). In addition, large scale blocks exhibit three types of textures: (1) micritic calcite, which seems to be the original material; (2) light-colored sparite in moldic voids; and (3) asymmetrical radiaxial laminated fibrous cement. Some micritic aggregates and hemi-spherulites (vaterite) were found in the sap on the trunk as well as in soils on silica grains and the wood itself. The mineralogy of all these carbonate forms is mainly a stoichiometric calcite or a moderately enriched Mg calcite. However, some samples contain monohydrocalcite, as well as two polymorphs of calcium oxalate (weddellite and whewellite). Calcite precipitation is facilitated by the oxidation of oxalate by soil bacteria that contributes to the increase in pH in Biga soils. This is in contrast to conventional orthox soils. Therefore, three conditions are necessary for biologically induced precipitation of calcium carbonate in orthox soils associated with iroko trees: the presence of a large amount of oxalate (originating from the tree and fungi), the existence of an oxalotrophic flora for oxalate oxidation into carbonate, and a dry season.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biologically induced accumulations of CaCO3 in orthox soils of Biga, Ivory Coast

Cailleau¹,

Braissant²,

Dupraz³

et al. 2005

CATENA

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“…Rhombohedra terminations are more common in the open columnar type. Flat terminations have been observed in association with dark, organic-rich laminae (Frisia et al, 2000 andFrisia et al, 2005), which suggests the possibility that organic matter oxidation may promote localized dissolution resulting in the overall "flat" appearance of the crystal tips (cf. Frisia, 1996).…”

Section: Models Of Fabric Development: Baseline For Codingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Frisia¹

2015

IJS

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“…Moonmilk is actively formed under the aggressive influence of condensation waters. The aggressive waters, by dissolving the limestone walls, lead to the formation of the moonmilk [23] [24] [25] and, often, infiltration waters also participate in this process. A study by Geze [26] suggests that microorganisms play an active role in their formation (biochemical weathering) as well, but more work is needed in Muradi Cave to better determine that possibility.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Speleological Investigation of the Largest Limestone Massif in Georgia (Caucasus)

Asanidze¹,

Lezhava²,

Chikhradze³

2017

OJG

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Georgia is home to multiple, widespread limestone massifs with well-developed karst areas and their associated landscape features found throughout the country. Due to geological, geomorphological, and speleological characteristics of the limestone massifs in Georgia, there are developments in classical karst processes and landforms, which contain very impressive karst features, such as dolines, caves, calcite depositions and others. For example, in Georgia, the world's deepest caves are found, such as: Krubera-2197 m; Sarma-1830 m; Pantyukhina-1508; Ilyukhina-1275 m; Kuibyshev-1110 m, and others. Of these, Krubera Cave is currently the deepest in the world. The goal of this work is to present speleological investigation of Muradi Cave, which is developed in Racha limestone massif. Muradi Cave is unique as the fact that it contains almost all types and subtypes of speleothems and sediments recorded nowadays in the caves of the Caucasus region, and the mineral aggregates found in Muradi Cave are rare for the caves of the Caucasus region. Unlike many of the hypogene caves in the region, Murdai Cave is formed from a more traditional mechanism of speleogenesis, but the influence of tectonic activity and complex hydrologic regimes led to the development of speleothems and passage morphology less common in the region and likely from hypogenic overprinting. The primary objectives of this study of Muradi Cave included undertaking important investigation in this country, to better understand the speleogenetic processes.

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Calcite Moonmilk: Crystal Morphology and Environment of Formation in Caves in the Italian Alps

Cited by 125 publications

References 27 publications

Biologically induced accumulations of CaCO3 in orthox soils of Biga, Ivory Coast

Biologically induced accumulations of CaCO3 in orthox soils of Biga, Ivory Coast

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Speleological Investigation of the Largest Limestone Massif in Georgia (Caucasus)

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