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Sulfidic Spring In The Gypsum Karst System Of Monte Conca (Italy): Chemistry And Microbiological Evidences, Marianna Messina, Tiziana Grech, Fiorenzo Fiorenza, Alessandro Marlettta, Pietro Valenti, Salvatore Petralia

International Journal of Speleology

Monte Conca Cave is a karst system placed in Messinian evaporites, consisting of an active cave and a resurgence located on the massif of Monte Conca, Campofranco within the "Riserva Naturale Integrale di Monte Conca". A sulfidic spring is located in the terminal gallery of the cave. To characterize the physical and chemical parameters of the Monte Conca cave and of the sulfidic spring, air temperature, relative humidity, water pH, and concentrations of dissolved sulfides, nitrates and sulfates were monitored. The high sulfide consumption rate in the sulfidic spring, evaluated by a kinetic study, suggests that biotic consumption is dominant. …