[en] A cave in granitic rocks was studied in Mezesse, South Cameroon. Coralloid speleothems, draperies and dissolution traces on the cave walls attest to its truly karstic nature. The speleothems consist of microlayers of opal and taranakite (K,NH4)Al-3(PO4)(3)(OH).9H(2)O. They indicate a significant mobilization of silica, Al and K from granite during the formation of the cave. Identification of silicified bacteria in the speleothems layers suggests a possible role of these micro-organisms in silica deposition. The presence of taranakite and of silicified organic remains within the speleothems lead to a better understanding of the genesis of the cave.
Compère, Philippe ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences et gestion de l'environnement > Département des sciences et gestion de l'environnement
Hatert, Frédéric ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de géologie > Minéralogie et cristallochimie
Pouclet, André
Vicat, Jean-Paul
Ek, Camille ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Services généraux (Faculté des sciences) > Relations académiques et scientifiques (Sciences)
Boulvain, Frédéric ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de géologie > Pétrologie sédimentaire
Language :
English
Title :
Karst in granitic rocks, South Cameroon: cave genesis and silica and taranakite speleothems
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