Snottite, alsosnoticle, is amicrobial mat ofsingle-celledextremophilicbacteria which hang from the walls and ceilings ofcaves and are similar to smallstalactites, but have the consistency ofnasal mucus. In theFrasassi Caves in Italy, over 70% of cells in Snottite have been identified asAcidithiobacillus thiooxidans, with smaller populations including anarchaeon in the uncultivated 'G-plasma' clade ofThermoplasmatales (>15%) and a bacterium in theAcidimicrobiaceae family (>5%).[1]
The bacteria derive their energy fromchemosynthesis of volcanicsulfur compounds includingH2S and warm-water solution dripping down from above, producingsulfuric acid. Because of this, their waste products are highly acidic (approaching pH=0), with similar properties tobattery acid.[2] Researchers at the University of Texas have suggested that this sulfuric acid may be a more significantcause of cave formation than the usual explanation offered of thecarbonic acid formed fromcarbon dioxide dissolved in water.[3]
Snottites were brought to attention by researchersDiana Northup andPenny Boston studying them (and other organisms) in a toxicsulfur cave calledCueva de Villa Luz (Cave of the Lighted House), inTabasco,Mexico. Snottites were first discovered in this cave by Jim Pisarowicz who also coined the term.[4]
The BBC seriesWonders of the Solar System sawProfessor Brian Cox examining snottites and positing that if there islife on Mars, it may be similarly primitive and hidden beneath the surface of theRed Planet.
Hose L. D., Pisarowicz J. A. (1999)"Cueva de Villa Luz, Tabasco, Mexico: reconnaissance study of an active sulfur spring cave and ecosystem".J Cave Karst Studies; 61:13–21
