Morphological and mineralogical characterization of speleothems from the Chimalacatepec lava tube system, Central Mexico

Siliceous, opal-A speleothems of the Chimalacatepec lava tube system in central Mexico are characterized here for the first time. Morphologically, they can be classified into cylindrical and planar, and display a wide array of shapes, inner textures, and locations within the lava tube. All speleothems analyzed here are composed of opal-A, and their pores are filled with calcite and monohydrocalcite. Microscopic examination reveals a variety of microbial-looking, silicified filaments and cell casts embedded within the micro lamination of the structures. The abundance of biofilms in the Chimalacatepec lava tube may share similarities with other volcanic caves elsewhere. The direct presence of such bimorphs in the microstructure of the speleothems suggests the biological mediation of these structures. Potential mechanisms include nucleation and sorption of silica on extracellular polymeric substances in the biofilms that, along with the SiO2 saturation in the water film and evaporative effects, result in the formation of a speleothem. That said, the presence of microbes in these and other cave systems, or their inevitable interactions with the mineral phase of the speleothems, should not be surprising. In view of this, these structures can be most accurately described as biospeleothems. This study contributes to our understanding of the diversity of such structures in these types of cave systems and our ability to recognize the presence of microbes in these.