Vistarani Arini Tiwow, Muhammad Arsyad, Pariabti Palloan, Sulistiawaty, Meytij Jeanne Rampe, Henny Lieke Rampe, Alfrie Musa Rampengan
Guano sediments can record environmental changes in caves and be investigated through the magnetic mineral properties contained therein. The properties of magnetic guano depend on the type, concentration, shape and size of the magnetic mineral grains. These properties can provide clues to the cave-forming environment, both lithogenic and anthropogenic influences. Therefore, this study aims to analyse the magnetic properties, mineralogy, and magnetic mineral morphology of guano sediments in caves in the karst region of Maros, Indonesia, especially Bat caves and Dream caves. Guano samples were taken according to the condition of the cave floor. Magnetic susceptibility measurements are used to analyse the magnetic properties of guano sediments. X - Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy - Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM - EDS) measurements were used to analyze the mineralogy and morphology of the magnetic mineral guano sediments, respectively. The results show that the magnetic susceptibility value at low frequencies ranges from (0.072 - 1.476) x 10-6 m3 kg-1 for Bat cave guano. The χLF value of Dream cave guano ranged from (2.867 - 85.507) x 10-6 m3 kg-1. The χFD (%) of Bat cave guano samples (2.78 - 8.70) %, while χFD (%) of Dream cave guano samples (0 - 4.18) %. The analysis of magnetic susceptibility, mineralogy, and magnetic mineral morphology showed that the guano samples from both caves tended to be affected by the ferrimagnetic mineral of the iron-titanium oxide group, namely magnetite (Fe3O4). The grain shapes of the guano samples from the two caves are similar; they are oval and irregular, and there are also fractures and heterogeneous grain distribution. Thus, the magnetic mineral sources in Bat cave and Dream cave guano tend to come from magnetic minerals controlled by lithogenic and anthropogenic components. © (2025), (University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy). All rights reserved.
Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Earth, Universitas Negeri Manado, Jl. Kampus Unima, North Sulawesi, Tondano, 95618, Indonesia; Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences Universitas Negeri Makassar, Kampus UNM Parangtambung, South Sulawesi, 90222, Indonesia; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Earth, Universitas Negeri Manado, Jl. Kampus Unima, North Sulawesi, Tondano, 95618, Indonesia; Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences Universitas Sam Ratulangi, Kampus Unsrat, Bahu Malalayang 95115, North Sulawesi, Manado, Indonesia
