Guano minerals from Murra-el-elevyn Cave Western Australia

Abstract

Summary Biphosphammite, ammonian KH2PO4, syngenite, aphthitalite, monetite, hannayite, whitloekite, apatite and minor gypsum, taylorite, brushite, mirabilite, guanine, and unidentified compounds form crystalline crusts on the walls and floors of a chamber of Murra-el-elevyn Cave, Cocklebiddy, Nullarbor Plain, Western Australia. The minerals are derived from the interaction of bat urine, droppings, and limestone. Analyses for CaO, MgO, Na2O, K2O, SO3, P2O5, CO2, NH3, H2O-, total N, and ignition loss are given. High K2O and low total N figures are characteristic of the analyses.