Quartz is considered one of the less soluble minerals of the Earth's crust, and thus hardly
affected by chemical weathering. Despite this, for more than forty years, it is clear that the …

Among fundamental research questions in subterranean biology, the role of subterranean
microbiomes playing in key elements cycling is a top-priority one. Karst caves are widely …

Moonmilk is a karstic speleothem mainly composed of fine calcium carbonate crystals
(CaCO3) with different textures ranging from pasty to hard, in which the contribution of biotic …

Background Moonmilk represents complex secondary structures and model systems to
investigate the interaction between microorganisms and carbonatic rocks. Grotta Nera is …

Background Due to the cave oligotrophic environment, this habitat presents a challenge for
microorganisms to colonize and thrive. However, it has been well documented that …

Abstract The Close-Up Imager (CLUPI) onboard the ESA ExoMars Rover is a powerful high-
resolution color camera specifically designed for close-up observations. Its accommodation …

Fetida Cave is an active sulfuric acid cave influenced by seawater, showing abundant
microbial communities that organize themselves under three main different morphologies …

The microbiota associated with vermiculations from karst caves is largely unknown.
Vermiculations are enigmatic deposits forming worm-like patterns on cave walls all over the …

Investigation by high resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM) and
Synchrotron-Radiation based micro X-ray fluorescence (SR-μXRF) of diagenesis in …

Friction and fault evolution are critical aspects in earthquake studies as they directly
influence the nucleation, propagation, and arrest of earthquake ruptures. We present the …