LIFESCI 2H03 Lecture Notes - Hydrogen Sulfide, Gypsum, Manganese
11 Jun 2013
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Document Summary
Carlsbad caverns coral reef transformed into limestone and raised above the ground formed by rain and underground water. Water flowed away leaving networks of underground chambers. Gypsum blocks: formed by evaporation of water. Gypsum chemically different from the plans: when sulphuric acid reacts with limestone it dissolves leaving gypsum behind something living was eating the oil and producing hydrogen sulphide. Hydrogen sulphide mixed deep in the oil fields. Microbes feeding on oil produce hydrogen sulphide which leaks up biding with hydrogen to form sulphuric acid, and dissolves the limestone creating the caves. Perhaps gypsum had washed into the caves from deposits nearby. Deepest known cave in the united states and the worlds fourth longest. No longer being edged out by sulphuric acid. No sunlight, has only isolated pools, low nutrient environment. Must be getting their energy by eating minerals in the rocks lake is protected by outside pollutants.
