White Mats

The white microbial mats are found in several places throughout Lower Kane Cave, but the largest concentration is downstream of the Upper Spring. Over the past several years, the plume of filamentous cells has changed its shape and density. The mat has patches of white, yellow, and dark brown areas, which we have preliminary evidence for being colonized by different groups of microorganisms, such as sulfur-oxidizers, sulfate-reducers, methanogens, and heterotrophs.  

The SEM images below demonstrate the dominance of the mats by filamentous microbes, which could be both sulfur-oxidizers and methanogens.  

Scanning Electron Microscopy of Microbial Mat and Sediments:

Microbial biofilms and sediments were preserved in gluteraldehyde, then freeze-fractures, and freeze-dried. Prepared samples were gold-coated and observed using the JEOL SEM in the department. The images were digitally captures and the size was adjusted to fit on the web-page, causing some distortion.