Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Sulfur-Rich Caves of Southern Tabasco, Mexico

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Hypogene Karst Regions and Caves of the World

Part of the book series: Cave and Karst Systems of the World ((CAKASYWO))

Abstract

Sulfur-rich karst springs that drain middle to Late Cretaceous carbonates in southern Tabasco, Mexico, contain elevated total dissolved solids with high chloride and either high sulfide or sulfate. The mostly meteoric waters circulate along intermediate-depth flow paths, interacting with Jurassic evaporites and then mixing with shallow-circulating rainwater to produce brackish, sulfur- and NaCl-rich spring waters. Several caves, notably Cueva de Villa Luz and Cueva de Luna Azufre near Tapijulapa, are developing from these waters. Both are fed by small, warm subterranean springs that release hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide at the water–air interface. These gases combine with water vapor in the air and moisture on cave walls to form acidic solutions, which enlarge the cave passages. Speleogenesis is aided by abundant chemoautotrophic microbes that facilitate oxidation and the production of acid solutions. Cave walls and ceilings display several distinctive colonies of these microbes, notably filamentous bundles (snottites) and biovermiculations. The organisms also reside in unusual mineral deposits, including sulfur folia, sulfur crusts, and gypsum paste. Pore fluids in these deposits and growths have very low pH despite their proximity to limestone walls. Speleogenesis appears to follow a three-step process: (1) an early sulfide-rich phreatic phase; (2) a sulfide-rich, vadose–phreatic phase of chemical alteration and mechanical stoping; and (3) a tertiary sulfide-depleted phase of epigenic speleogenesis. The second phase of development dominates speleogenesis in Cuevas de Villa Luz and Luna Azufre.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 259.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Alcántara-García JM, Ham-Wong JM, Medina-Flores U, Hernandez-Penaloza JJ, de la Cruz-Rivera VM, Pena-Ramirez H, Namson J, Spaw JM (2004) Identification and evaluation of plays in the Simojovel Project, southeastern Mexico. American Association of Petroleum Geologists, International Conference Oct 24–27, Cancun, Mexico

    Google Scholar 

  • Alquino-López JA (2004) Sureste basin, Mexico, and associated sub-basins: an update and future potential. AAPG International Conference, Oct 24–27, Cancun, Mexico

    Google Scholar 

  • Audra P, Hobléa F, Bigot J-Y, Nobécourt J-C (2007) The role of condensation-corrosion in thermal speleogenesis: study of a hypogenic sulfidic cave in Aix-les-Bains, France. Acta Carsologica 36(2):185–194

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Birkle P, Angulo M (2005) Conceptual hydrochemical model of late Pleistocene aquifers at the Samario-Sitio Grande petroleum reservoir, Gulf of Mexico, Mexico. Appl Geochem 20:1077–1098

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Birkle P, Martínez-García B, Milland-Padron CM, Eglington BM (2009) Origin and evolution of formation water at the Jujo-Tecominoacán oil reservoir, Gulf of Mexico. Part 2: Isotopic and field-production evidence for fluid connectivity. Appl Geochem 24:555–573

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Birkle P, Portugal E, Rosillo-Aragón JJ, Fong JL (2002) Evolution and origin of deep reservoir water at the Activo Luna oil field, Gulf of Mexico, Mexico. AAPG Bull 86:457–484

    Google Scholar 

  • Bögli A (1964) Mischungskorrosion, ein Beitrag zur Verkarstungs-problem. Erdkunde 18:83–92

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boston PJ, Hose LD, Northup DE, Spilde MN (2006) The microbial communities of sulfur caves: A newly appreciated geologically driven system on Earth and potential model for Mars. In: Harmon RS, Wicks C (eds) Perspectives on Karst Geomorphology, Hydrology, and Geochemistry—a Tribute Volume to Derek C. Ford and William B. White. Geological Society of America Special Paper 404, pp 331–344

    Google Scholar 

  • Boston PJ, Spilde MN, Northup DE, Melim LA, Soroka DS, Kleina LG, Lavoie KH, Hose LD, Mallory LM, Dahm CN, Crossey LJ, Schelble RT (2001) Cave biosignature suites: microbes, minerals and Mars. Astrobiol J 1(1):25–55

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boston PJ, Spilde MN, Northup DE, Melim LA, Rosales-Lagarde L (2012) Speleogenetic effects of microbial communities in carbonate systems. Geol Soc Am Abs Programs 44(6):32

    Google Scholar 

  • Drever J (1982) The Geochemistry of Natural Waters. Prentice-Hall, New Jersey

    Google Scholar 

  • DuChene HR (2009) The relationship of oil-field-derived hydrogen sulfide in the Permian (Guadalupian) Artesia Group to sulfuric acid speleogenesis in the Guadalupe Mountains, New Mexico and Texas. In: Stafford KW, Land LL, Veni G (eds), Advances in Hypogene Karst Studies. NCKRI symposium 1, National Cave and Karst Research Institute, Carlsbad, NM, pp 111–120

    Google Scholar 

  • Eliot J (2001) Deadly haven: Mexico’s poisonous cave. National Geographic, May issue

    Google Scholar 

  • Estrada-Bárcenas D (2005) Biodiversidad de microartrópodeos en una cueva multienergetica en Tabasco, México. M.Sc. thesis, UNAM, Mexico

    Google Scholar 

  • Galdenzi S (1990) Un modello genetico per la Grotta Grande del Vento. In: Galdenzi S, Menichetti M (eds) Il carsismo della Gola di Frasassi: Memoire Istituto Italiano di Speleologia, II-4:123–142

    Google Scholar 

  • García-Palomo AA, Macías JL, Espindola JM (2004) Strike-slip faults and K-alkaline volcanism at El Chichón volcano, southeastern Mexico. J Volcanol Geoth Res 136(3):247–268

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gold T (1999) The Deep Hot Biosphere. Copernicus, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Gorden MS, Rosen DE (1962) A cavernicolous form of the Poeciliid fish Poecilia sphenops from Tabasco, Mexico. Copeia 2:360–368

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill CA (2000) Overview of the geologic history of cave development in the Guadalupe Mountains, New Mexico: J Caves Karst Stud 62(2):60–71

    Google Scholar 

  • Hose LD (1999) Cave of the sulfur eaters. Natl Hist Mag, 54–61

    Google Scholar 

  • Hose LD (2001) Hydrochemical characteristics of a unique sulfur-rich karst system in southern Mexico. Geol Soc Am Abs Programs 33(6)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hose LD (2005) A scientist looks at Cueva Luna Azufre. AMCS Activities News 28:54–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Hose LD (2009) Recent observations in a remarkably dynamic, sulfide-rich, hypogenic cave in southern Mexico. Proceedings of fifteenth international congress of speleology, pp 1525–1530

    Google Scholar 

  • Hose LD, Macalady JL (2006) Observations from active sulfidic karst systems: is the present the key to understanding past sulfuric acid speleogenesis? 57th annual fall field conference guidebook, Caves and Karst of SE New Mexico. New Mexico Geological Society, Socorro NM, pp 185–194

    Google Scholar 

  • Hose LD, Palmer AN, Palmer MV, Northup DE, Boston PJ, DuChene HR (2000) Effects of geomicrobiological processes in a hydrogen sulfide-rich, karst environment. Chem Geol: Spec Geomicrobiol Issue 169:399–423

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hose LD, Pisarowicz JA (1999) Cueva de Villa Luz, Tabasco, México: Reconnaissance study of an active sulfur spring cave. J Cave Karst Stud 61(1):13–21

    Google Scholar 

  • INEGI (1983a) Carta Geológica escala 1:250,000 Villahermosa E15–8, 1st edn, México

    Google Scholar 

  • INEGI (1983b) Carta Hidrológica de Aguas Superficiales 1:250,000 Villahermosa E15–8, scale 1:250,000, 1st edn, Mexico

    Google Scholar 

  • INEGI (1985) Carta Geológica escala 1:250,000 Tuxtla Gutierrez E15–11. 1st edn, México

    Google Scholar 

  • Meneses-Rocha JJ (2001) Tectonic evolution of the Ixtapa graben, an example of a strike-slip basin in southeastern Mexico: Implications for regional petroleum systems. In: Bartolini C, Buffler RT, Cantú-Chapa A (eds) Memoir 75, 183–216

    Google Scholar 

  • Northup DE, Turner AL, Spilde MN, Boston PJ, Alvarado A, Hose LD (2005) Sulfur-based microbial communities from Cueva de Villa Luz, an extreme sulfide-rich cave. Abs Gen Meet, Am Soc Microbiol 105(N-065)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pain S (1998) Acid house. New Scientist 6 June, 42–46

    Google Scholar 

  • Palacios-Vargas JG (2009) Los Estudios Bioespeleológicos de la Cueva de Villa Luz y sus perspectivas. Mundos Subterrán 20:22–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Palmer AN (1991) Origin and morphology of limestone caves. Geol Soc Am Bull 103:1–21

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palmer AN (2007) Cave Geology. Cave Books, Dayton, OH

    Google Scholar 

  • Palmer AN, Palmer MV (1998) Geochemistry of Cueva de Villa Luz, Mexico, an active H2S cave (abstract). J Cave Karst Stud 60:188

    Google Scholar 

  • Petit C (1998) The walls are alive: U.S. News and World Report, February 9 issue, pp 59–60

    Google Scholar 

  • Pisarowicz J (2005) Return to Tabasco. AMCS Activities Newsl 28:27–57

    Google Scholar 

  • Queen JM (1994) Influence of thermal atmospheric convection upon the nature and distribution of microbiota in cave environments. In: Sasowsky ID, Palmer MV (eds) Breakthroughs in Karst Geomicrobiology and Redox Geochemistry. Charles Town, WV, Karst Waters Institute Special Publication 1, pp 62–63

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramos-López AE (2003) Aplicación de un índice de calidad para cuerpos de agua del Estado de Tabasco, México. Bachelors thesis in Environmental Engineering, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, Villahermosa, Tabasco

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosales-Lagarde L (2009) Mexico news: Tabasco. AMCS Activities Newsl 32:32

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosales-Lagarde L (2013) Sulfidic karst springs and speleogenesis in the Sierra de Chiapas. Assoc Mex Cave Stud Bull 24

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosales-Lagarde L, Boston P, Campbell A, Hose L, Axen G, Stafford KW (2014) Hydrogeology of northern Sierra de Chiapas, Mexico: a conceptual model based on a geochemical characterization of sulfide-rich karst brackish springs. Hydrogeol J 22(6):1447–1467

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salazar-Conde E, Zavala-Cruz J, Castillo-Acosta O, Cámara-Artigas R (2004) Evaluación espacial y temporal de la vegetación de la Sierra Madrigal, Tabasco, México (1973–2003). Investigaciones Geográficas: Boletín del Instituto de Geografía, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. 54:7–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Spilde MN, Fischer PR, Northup DE, Turin HJ, Boston PJ (2004) Water, gases, and phylogenetic analyses from sulfur springs in Cueva de Villa Luz, Tabasco, México (abstract). Geol Soc Am Abs Programs 36(5):258

    Google Scholar 

  • Tobler M, Culumber ZW, Plath M, Winemiller KO, Rosenthal GG (2010) An indigenous religious ritual selects for resistance to a toxicant in a livebearing fish. Biol Lett. doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2010.0663

  • Tobler M, Shlupp I, Heubel KU, Riesch R, de León FDG, Giere O, Plath M (2006) Life on the edge: hydrogen sulfide and the fish communities of a Mexican cave and surrounding waters. Extremophiles 10:577–585

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the people and officials of the Tapijulapa community, the authorities from the Municipio de Tacotalpa, Teapa, and Ixtapangajovya for their generous support and kindness. LDH’s research was financially supported by grants from the National Speleological Foundation, Richmond Area Speleological Society, and National Geographic Society grants 6541-99, and 6634-9. LR-L’s research was supported by Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, the National Cave and Karst Research Institute, the Matuszeski Grant, the Anita and Anton Budding Research Grant, and the Graduate Student Association Travel Grant from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. The authors benefitted from assistance from members of the National Speleological Society’s Caves of Tabasco Project, especially from Jim Pisarowicz and Vickie Siegel. The personnel from PEMEX Exploración y Producción Zona Sur, especially Dr. Javier Meneses-Rocha, granted access to geologic information and oil wells. Consejo Nacional del Agua Villahermosa, Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía, and the Secretaría de Agua Potable y Alcantarillado del Estado de Tabasco also provided useful information.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geological Sciences and Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, 89557, USA

    Louise D. Hose

  2. Department of Physical and Life Sciences, Nevada State College, Henderson, NV, 89002, USA

    Laura Rosales-Lagarde

Authors
  1. Louise D. Hose
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Laura Rosales-Lagarde
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Louise D. Hose .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Hydrogeological Problems, Institute of Geological Sciences, Kiev, Ukraine

    Alexander Klimchouk

  2. Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, State University of New York, Oneonta, New York, USA

    Arthur N. Palmer

  3. Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, Universita di Bologna, Bologna, Italy

    Jo De Waele

  4. Instituto do Carste, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Augusto S. Auler

  5. University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, Sophia Antipolis Cedex, France

    Philippe Audra

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Hose, L.D., Rosales-Lagarde, L. (2017). Sulfur-Rich Caves of Southern Tabasco, Mexico. In: Klimchouk, A., N. Palmer, A., De Waele, J., S. Auler, A., Audra, P. (eds) Hypogene Karst Regions and Caves of the World. Cave and Karst Systems of the World. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-53348-3_54

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation