Microbial Communities Associated With Hydromagnesite and Needle-Fiber Aragonite Deposits in a Karstic Cave (Altamira, Northern Spain)

Abstract

Microbial communities, where Streptomyces species predominate, were found in association with hydromagnesite, Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2.4H2O, and needle-fiber aragonite deposits in an Altamira cave. The ability to precipitate calcium carbonate in laboratory cultures suggests that these and other bacteria present in the cave may play a role in the formation of moonmilk deposits.

Keywords:

• Actinomycetes Altamira Cave Aragonite Biomineralization Calcite Heterotrophic Bacteria Hydromagnesite Moonmilk Speleothem Vaterite