Lechuguilla Cave

SEM backscattered electron image of rock flour from the FN survey near FN12 in the Southwestern Branch on the way to Big Sky camp. Sample contains predominantly quartz (Si, O on EDS analysis) with small inclusions of possible zirconium (O,Si,Zr) and rutile (Ti,Si,O). Photo by Spilde, Northup, and Boston.

SEM image of white corrosion residue (sample SW8) from the FN Survey (FN18) in the Southwestern Branch on the way to Big Sky camp. EDS analysis reveals that these are quartz grains with a dusting of cubic minerals 2-7 microns across. The grains are angular but not always cubic. Photo by Spilde, Northup, and Boston.

SEM closeup of the preceding image. Photo by Spilde, Northup, and Boston.

SEM image of pink corrosion residue (sample SW9) from the FN Survey (FN18) in the Southwestern Branch on the way to Big Sky camp. EDS analysis reveals that the background is Al,O and that the grains are Mg,Ca, O (dolomite?). Photo by Spilde, Northup, and Boston.

SEM image of pink corrosion residue (sample SW9) from the FN Survey (FN18) in the Southwestern Branch on the way to Big Sky camp. Image shows a pitted area with some iron specks on top. Photo by Spilde, Northup, and Boston.

SEM image (5500x) of small "iron nodules" (EDS analysis) on calcium carbonate. Some evidence of corrosion pits. Sample (SW3) is of salmon-colored chunks of rock from the corrosion residue in the FN survey near FNH2 on the way to Big Sky camp. Photo by Spilde, Northup, and Boston.

Closeup SEM image (16,000x) of the "iron nodules" in the preceding image. The size and collapsed look suggest that these could be bacteria. Photo by Spilde, Northup, and Boston.

SEM image (1000x) overview of the preceding two images. Photo by Spilde, Northup, and Boston.

SEM image (430x) of pink corrosion residue (sample SW9) from the FN Survey (FN18) in the Southwestern Branch on the way to Big Sky camp. Image shows an overview of the trigonal calcium carbonate crystals. Photo by Spilde, Northup, and Boston.

SEM image of pink corrosion reside (sample SW9) from the FN Survey (FN18) in the Southwestern Branch on the way to Big Sky camp. Image shows an overview of the trigonal calcium carbonate crystals. Photo by Spilde, Northup, and Boston.