Caves contain soil-like deposits, rich in Mn- and  Fe-oxides. Lithiophorite, nordstrandite (and gibbsite), goethite, kaolinite, and illite have been identified by XRD and SEM, and abundant nanocrystalline Fe-oxides were found by TEM. Todorokite and birnessite, common in soil Mn-nodules, are also present in these deposits.

Both chemical and microbial processes influence the formation of these cave deposits. A culture-independent, small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) sequence-based study revealed mesophilic Archaea, lactobacilli, nitrite-oxidizing bacteria, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, actinomycetes, and Proteobacteria.  Enrichment cultures targeting manganese oxidizers developed amorphous Mn- and Fe-oxides after about one month, followed by crystalline deposits over the next eight months that were not observed in killed controls. Sequence analysis of DNA from these cultures demonstrated the presence of Bacillus, Alcaligenes, Mesorhizobium, Brevibacterium, and Devosia riboflavina, some of which are known manganese oxidizers.  These cave deposits provide an excellent milieu in which to study microbial iron and manganese oxidation.