Torosites: A New Microbially Mediated Speleothem From Sistemalos Toros, Nuevo Léon, Mexico
ABSTRACT:
Although several kinds of speleothems are known to grow with pendant morphology (i.e., helictites, pool fingers, and stalactites), we describe here a new form found in Sistema Los Toros, Nuevo Léon, Mexico, which we propose to call torosites. A laminated, bladed, spar crust grew beneath remnants of a stromatolitic micritic crust and extended mostly downward as irregular finger-like protrusions (torosites) that are 2–3 mm wide and 2–3 cm long. Although mainly pendants, the individual torosites are quite irregular with growth sideways and even upward in places. The torosites thicken and thin, like knuckles on a finger, but maintain a relatively uniform diameter. Laminations in the bladed spar and protrusions are defined by micritic intervals with minor intermixed detrital grains (clay, quartz, and carbonate silt) and rare, ropy biofilm. Bladed-spar crystals nucleate off thicker detrital layers, but they extend through thinner lamina. The torosites lack the central canal of helictites and most stalactites. Unlike pool fingers and stalactites, torosites only grow on the end of the speleothem, not on the sides. We hypothesize that the torosites grew from dripping water at their ends. Microbial biofilm communities colonized the growth surface, probably during drier conditions, forming the micritic layers. We speculate that the microbial mat likely caused the irregular sideways growth, but we cannot identify how on these fossil forms. Torosites are unique and add to the growing list of known microbially mediated speleothems.
SIMPLE LANGUAGE SUMMARY:
The document describes the discovery of a new type of cave formation called "torosites" in Sistema Los Toros, Mexico. These finger-like formations, which are about 2–3 mm wide and 2–3 cm long, grow downward but sometimes branch out sideways or even upward, which is unusual for cave formations. Unlike stalactites, they don’t have a central tube and only grow at the ends rather than along their sides. Researchers believe that torosites formed through dripping water, with microbial biofilms playing a significant role in their growth. The microbes likely influenced the direction and shape of the torosites by interacting with minerals in the cave environment. Using specialized tools, scientists studied the structure and found layers of minerals and traces of microbial activity. This discovery adds to the growing understanding of how microbes can help shape speleothems (cave formations) over time. Torosites are a unique example of how living organisms contribute to cave formation processes.
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