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Alunite, Natroalunite and Hydrated Halloysite in Carlsbad Cavern and Lechuguilla Cave, New Mexico

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2024

Victor J. Polyak  and
Necip Güven
Victor J. Polyak
Affiliation:
Department of Geosciences, Box 41053, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409-1053
Necip Güven
Affiliation:
Department of Geosciences, Box 41053, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409-1053
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Abstract

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Members of an alunite-natroalunite solid solution series occur in intimate association with hydrated halloysite in deposits within caves of the Guadalupe Mountains, namely Carlsbad Cavern and Lechuguilla Cave. The alunite and natroalunite crystals consist of cube-like rhombs; crystal diameters range from 0.5 to 8 µm. This mineral association is found in sediments within bedrock pockets, solution cavity fills, floor deposits and wall residues. Sulfur stable isotope values (δ34S, CTD) for cave alunite and natroalunite are negative [+0.1 to −28.9 per mill (‰); n = 12 and mean = 16.8‰] and are comparable to the cave gypsum and native sulfur values reported by other investigators. The association of alunite/natroalunite with hydrated halloysite in these cave deposits suggests that the cave-forming waters contained significant concentrations of sulfuric acid. Formation of these minerals is related to the excavation of the carbonate rocks that formed Carlsbad Cavern, Lechuguilla Cave and other caves of the Guadalupe Mountains. The sulfuric acid-bearing waters, when exposed to clay-rich sediments, converted clay minerals and quartz to alunite/natroalunite and hydrated halloysite.

Keywords

AluniteCarlsbad CavernCavesHydrated HalloysiteLechuguilla CaveNatroaluniteSulfuric AcidSulfur Stable Isotopes
Type
Research Article
Information
Clays and Clay Minerals , Volume 44 , Issue 6 , December 1996 , pp. 843 - 850
Copyright
Copyright © 1996, The Clay Minerals Society

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