Sulfidic spring in the gypsum karst system of Monte Conca (Italy): chemistry and microbiological evidences

The explorations and the scientific investigations of sulfide-rich caves have advanced the knowledge on the development of karst systems. Multi-disciplinary teams have recognized the importance of hydrogen-sulfide on the geochemistry and microbiology of these systems. Principi (1931) first proposed sulfuric acid-driven speleogenesis and suggested that some caves were created by the interaction of sulfidic waters with limestone. Galdenzi & Maruoka (2003) reported that many limestone caves contain small gypsum deposits formed by evaporation of sulfate-rich water on cave fills or walls. Moreover, they described the morphologic effects of the oxidation of H2S for the Frasassi Cave, where the limestone walls, exposed to the H2S vapors, are highly corroded and partially or completely covered by gypsum crusts. Hose & Pisarowicz (1999) reported Citation:

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