Earth and Planetary Sciences
8 years ago

Groundwater, Not Bat Guano, the Source of Cave Saltpeter Discovery!

The Journal of Geology
Origin of Cave Saltpeter
Carol A. Hill

Paper Summary

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Cave saltpeter comes from seeping groundwater, not bat guano. Rainwater leaches nitrate from surface limestone, but protected cave limestone is rich in nitrate. Groundwater dissolves nitrate from surface soils and carries it through limestone to dry caves.