The Geology
A spring is a natural flow of water from the ground or from rocks, representing an outlet for water that has accumulated in permeable rock strata underground.
The occurrence of springs is closely related to the geology of an area. If an impervious layer of rock, such as a clay deposit, underlies a layer of saturated soil or rock, then springs may appear on a slope where the clay layer outcrops. Igneous rocks are also impervious to water, yet they are often extensively fractured, and springs commonly appear where these fractures come to the surface.
Just where does that odour come from? The smell is a result of H2S (hydrogen sulphide), a gas similar to natural gas. It results from anaerobic bacteria converting some of the dissolved sulphur in the water to H2S. The presence of H2S indicates that the water has penetrated to great depths. As the water percolates deeply into the crust, pressure increases, and this allows anaerobic bacteria to convert sulphur in the form of sulphate to the sulphide of H2S. This normally is followed by a quick trip to the surface in order to retain the H2S created.
History
This Sulphur Spring fed the Sulphur Springs Hotel’s mineral spa in the 1800’s. The waters were considered to have curative properties and hence the Hotel was a popular summer destination.
In order to log this earthcache, please email me the answers to the following questions:
1. Does the water have a “rotten egg” odour? If so, describe the intensity of it.
2. When Professor George Wilson analyzed the water content, how many cubic inches of hydrogen sulphide did he find in one gallon of this water?
3. Where the water overflows from the bowl, what colour is the ground? What do you think this is? How does it feel to the touch? Why do you think this exists?
Congratulations to kayteeare and ApolloandMe on the FTF!