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1981•The Journal of GeologyRequires access

Origin of Cave Saltpeter

Carol A. Hill

Open publisher page 29 citations

Abstract

Nitrogen and phosphorus analyses from the limestones and floor deposits of Dixon Cave, Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky (a saltpeter cave), and New Cave, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico (a bat guano cave), indicate that cave saltpeter derives from seeping groundwater and not from bat guano. Limestones at the surface and in sinkholes exposed to rainfall are leached of nitrate (a few ppm) whereas protected limestones in caves are enriched in nitrate (thousands of ppm). Groundwater dissolves nitrate in organic surface soils and transports it through the limestone bedrock and toward the dry cave.

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What this paper is about

Nitrogen and phosphorus analyses from the limestones and floor deposits of Dixon Cave, Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky (a saltpeter cave), and New Cave, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico (a bat guano cave), indicate that cave saltpeter derives from seeping groundwater and not from bat guano. Limestones at the surface and in sinkholes exposed to rainfall are leached of nitrate (a few ppm) whereas protected limestones in caves are enriched in nitrate (thousands of ppm). Groundwater dissolves nitrate in organic surface soils and transports it through the limestone bedrock and toward the dry cave.

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Available abstract

Nitrogen and phosphorus analyses from the limestones and floor deposits of Dixon Cave, Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky (a saltpeter cave), and New Cave, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico (a bat guano cave), indicate that cave saltpeter derives from seeping groundwater and not from bat guano. Limestones at the surface and in sinkholes exposed to rainfall are leached of nitrate (a few ppm) whereas protected limestones in caves are enriched in nitrate (thousands of ppm). Groundwater dissolves nitrate in organic surface soils and transports it through the limestone bedrock and toward the dry cave.

Key concepts: Guano, Cave, Geology, Bedrock, Sinkhole, Groundwater, National park, Karst

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