Weird bacteria layer

[phillip1]

We have been exploring a pretty big cave system here and it goes far back, at 12mtr depth it is 100% saltwater and there is a weird bright orange bacterial growth all over the walls and floor, it makes very weird looking stalactites of jello. Anyway we got about 1K back today and the layer starts to look different more fluffy and I went to touch it and stuck my finger about an inch through and it was hot to the touch! about like a warm/hot radiator. Has anyone heard of this? you can even feel heat when you place your hand slightly above the bacteria layer too. Really spooky but really cool looking.

[fixxervi6]

Man thats awsome, maybe get a sample and send it off to a lab, any chance for pics?

[Randy Thornton]

We have been exploring a pretty big cave system here and it goes far back, at 12mtr depth it is 100% saltwater and there is a weird bright orange bacterial growth all over the walls and floor, it makes very weird looking stalactites of jello. Anyway we got about 1K back today and the layer starts to look different more fluffy and I went to touch it and stuck my finger about an inch through and it was hot to the touch! about like a warm/hot radiator. Has anyone heard of this? you can even feel heat when you place your hand slightly above the bacteria layer too. Really spooky but really cool looking.

Where is "here"?

[FW]

Where is "here"?

Dominican Republic.

[Kelly Jessop]

We have been exploring a pretty big cave system here and it goes far back, at 12mtr depth it is 100% saltwater and there is a weird bright orange bacterial growth all over the walls and floor, it makes very weird looking stalactites of jello. Anyway we got about 1K back today and the layer starts to look different more fluffy and I went to touch it and stuck my finger about an inch through and it was hot to the touch! about like a warm/hot radiator. Has anyone heard of this? you can even feel heat when you place your hand slightly above the bacteria layer too. Really spooky but really cool looking.

I have seen bacteria growths similar to what you are describing in many different state side caves. There are some locations that have the fluffy orange growth you are describing,but these aren't tidally influenced areas. I can't describe any warmth sensation since I avoid human contact,and the bacteria growth that we have is easily disturbed by movement in its proximity.

[phreaticus]

Sounds like a sulfur-metabolizing bacteria (like the Thiothrix sp. we have here in the coastal cave systems...i.e. Twin Dees, Jenkins Creek, Little Salt, etc.), they can generate some heat (although the temperature mentioned seems a bit unusual) via the metabolism procees of billions of bacteria in large, unstable, almost gelatinous mats covering solid surfaces and the floor of cave passages. They can form long "sheets" or "tendrils" as well, depending on the flow and other environmental factors. If you get close, it tends to "jiggle" when disturbed, and will stir up very easily, destroying the viz. in a heartbeat.

[phillip1]

Where is "here"?

Dominican Republic, Is there a lab that anyone knows of that could identify a sample if I send one? it sounds like what you are describing it is very fluffy stuff in some parts and kind of like jello in others, the heat can be felt only were it is very fluffy. Also in parts of the cave it "floats" on top of the hallocline as if the saltwwater layer was the floor, it is so freaky looking we did not know what to think, the saltwater layer is opaque green so when you look down from the freshwater layer you cant really see through it very much, it does not look like a cave at all but more like a science fiction episode.

[fire diver]

Sounds very interesting, have been able to get any photos of the stuff?

[Danseur]

FedEx to University of Florida...

[Brian Kakuk]

Phillip,
You may want to contact the Professor listed below. She is working with our National Geographic project analyzing (including DNA sequencing) the unique bacteria which is responsible for the chemocline and anoxic conditions that is preserving amazing archaeology and paleontology we are recovering from blue holes here in the Bahamas. Your descriptions of the bacteria in the DR seem very similar to what we have been finding in our anchialine and marine caves here and I'm sure if she compares the DNA of DR and Bahamas bacteria, there will be some cool results. I'm sure Jen can help you out if you can get her samples. Good luck.

Contact:
Dr. Jennifer Macalady
Assistant Professor
Penn State Astrobiology Research Center (PSARC)
Dept. of Geosciences
Pennsylvania State University
210 Deike Building
University Park, PA 16802

office: (814) 865-6330
lab: (814) 865-9340
fax: (814) 863-7823
jmacalad@geosc.psu.edu
http://www.geosc.psu.edu/~jmacalad