Moonmilk
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Moonmilk is a white, cheese-like substance found inside caves. It is similar to other deposits, but its unique quality is that it does not harden or turn to stone. Analysis of the material has revealed a variety minerals.
Hypotheses about the origin of moonmilk are mixed. Some scientists think it is a bacterial action rather than a chemical one. In this theory, it is thought to be created by the bacterium Macromonas bipunctata. Certain bacterial actions are known to be capable of breaking down stone to form this semiliquid "milk".
It was originally (c. 16th century) thought to be created by "moon rays."
References
- George W. Moore and Nicholas Sullivan. Speleology: Caves and the Cave Environment, rev. 3rd ed. Dayton, Ohio: Cave Books, 1997. ISBN 0939748460 (hardcover), ISBN 0939748452 (paperback).
- Cave Formations (http://www.scsc.k12.ar.us/ChadickD/cave_formations.htm)
Links
- Moonmilk and Cave-dwelling Microbes (http://www.nps.gov/crla/notes/vol26h.htm)
- Micromonas bipunctata (http://web.umr.edu/~microbio/BIO221_2001/micromonas_bipunctata.html)Template:Bacteria-stub
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