Articles | Volume 23, issue 12
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-4213-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-4213-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
The mirabilite microbiocosm in a Carpathian contact cave
Oana Teodora Moldovan
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Emil Racovita Institute of Speleology, Romanian Academy – Cluj-Napoca Branch, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Crin-Triandafil Theodorescu
Museum Complex of Bistrița-Năsăud, 420016 Bistrița-Năsăud, Romania
Erika Andrea Levei
National Institute for Research and Development for Optoelectronics INOE 2000, Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation Subsidiary, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Oana Cadar
National Institute for Research and Development for Optoelectronics INOE 2000, Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation Subsidiary, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Short summary
This study examines the microbial and geochemical environment surrounding mirabilite deposits in Izvorul Tăușoarelor Cave (Romanian Carpathians). Using a metabarcoding approach, the microbial profiling is unique: sulfur-reducing bacteria were absent in mirabilite samples. The presence of ammonia-oxidising archaea exclusively in the mirabilite area indicates a possible influence from a bat colony, which contributes minimal ammonia that supports the microbial equilibrium for mirabilite growth.
This study examines the microbial and geochemical environment surrounding mirabilite deposits in...
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