The Toirano cave system is located in the Varatella Valley, to the north of Toirano, and develops in dolostones and dolomitic limestones of the San Pietro ai Monti Formation (Triassic). From the lower (186 m a.s.l.) to the upper level (247 m a.s.l.), the caves are organised as follows: Básura (see coordinates), Santa Lucia Inferiore, Santuario, and Colombo.

Phosphates have been found and sampled only in the highest level of Colombo, which is a horizontal 310 m-long cave. Here, important bat guano deposits and associated intense condensation-corrosion features show that bats have used this cave for a long time. The cave is of archeological interest, as are most of the caves in the area, and guanodeposits have been trenched by scientific excavations.

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Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Mineral List

ⓘ Aragonite

6 valid minerals.

Rock Types Recorded

Note: data is currently VERY limited. Please bear with us while we work towards adding this information!

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Alphabetical List Tree Diagram

ⓘ Dolostone

ⓘ Guano

ⓘ 'Magnesian Limestone'

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Aragonite

Formula: CaCO₃

References:

Asserto, R., and Folk, R.L. (1980) Diagenetic fabrics of aragonite, calcite, and dolomite in an ancient peritidal-spelean environment: Triassic Calcare Rosso, Lombardia, Italy. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, 50, 2, 371-394.

ⓘ Ardealite

Formula: Ca₂(PO₃OH)(SO₄) · 4H₂O

References:

Audra, Philippe, De Waele, Jo, Bentaleb, Ilham, Chroňáková, Alica, Krištůfek, Václav, D’Angeli, Ilenia, Carbone, Cristina, Madonia, Giuliana, Vattano, Marco, Scopelliti, Giovanna, et al. (2019) Guano-related phosphate-rich minerals in European caves. International Journal of Speleology, 48 (1). 75-105 doi:10.5038/1827-806x.48.1.2252

ⓘ Brushite

Formula: Ca(PO₃OH) · 2H₂O

References:

ⓘ Calcite

Formula: CaCO₃

References:

Jervis, Guglielmo (1874) I tesori sotterranei dell'Italia descrizione topografica e geologica di tutte le localita nel Regno d'Italia [The underground treasures of Italy topographical and geological description of all the locations in the Kingdom of Italy] Vol. 2 - Regione Dell'Appennino e Vucani attivi e spenti dipendentivi.

ⓘ Gypsum

Formula: CaSO₄ · 2H₂O

References:

ⓘ Newberyite

Formula: Mg(PO₃OH) · 3H₂O

References:

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates
ⓘ	Calcite	5.AB.05	CaCO₃
ⓘ	Aragonite	5.AB.15	CaCO₃
Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates
ⓘ	Gypsum	7.CD.40	CaSO₄ · 2H₂O
Group 8 - Phosphates, Arsenates and Vanadates
ⓘ	Newberyite	8.CE.10	Mg(PO₃OH) · 3H₂O
ⓘ	Ardealite	8.CJ.50	Ca₂(PO₃OH)(SO₄) · 4H₂O
ⓘ	Brushite	8.CJ.50	Ca(PO₃OH) · 2H₂O

List of minerals for each chemical element

H	Hydrogen
H	ⓘ Ardealite	Ca₂(PO₃OH)(SO₄) · 4H₂O
H	ⓘ Brushite	Ca(PO₃OH) · 2H₂O
H	ⓘ Gypsum	CaSO₄ · 2H₂O
H	ⓘ Newberyite	Mg(PO₃OH) · 3H₂O
C	Carbon
C	ⓘ Aragonite	CaCO₃
C	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
O	Oxygen
O	ⓘ Aragonite	CaCO₃
O	ⓘ Ardealite	Ca₂(PO₃OH)(SO₄) · 4H₂O
O	ⓘ Brushite	Ca(PO₃OH) · 2H₂O
O	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
O	ⓘ Gypsum	CaSO₄ · 2H₂O
O	ⓘ Newberyite	Mg(PO₃OH) · 3H₂O
Mg	Magnesium
Mg	ⓘ Newberyite	Mg(PO₃OH) · 3H₂O
P	Phosphorus
P	ⓘ Ardealite	Ca₂(PO₃OH)(SO₄) · 4H₂O
P	ⓘ Brushite	Ca(PO₃OH) · 2H₂O
P	ⓘ Newberyite	Mg(PO₃OH) · 3H₂O
S	Sulfur
S	ⓘ Ardealite	Ca₂(PO₃OH)(SO₄) · 4H₂O
S	ⓘ Gypsum	CaSO₄ · 2H₂O
Ca	Calcium
Ca	ⓘ Aragonite	CaCO₃
Ca	ⓘ Ardealite	Ca₂(PO₃OH)(SO₄) · 4H₂O
Ca	ⓘ Brushite	Ca(PO₃OH) · 2H₂O
Ca	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
Ca	ⓘ Gypsum	CaSO₄ · 2H₂O

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

Eurasian PlateTectonic Plate

AlpsAccretionary Complex

EuropeContinent

The AlpsMountain Range

This page contains all mineral locality references listed on mindat.org. This does not claim to be a complete list. If you know of more minerals from this site, please register so you can add to our database. This locality information is for reference purposes only. You should never attempt to visit any sites listed in mindat.org without first ensuring that you have the permission of the land and/or mineral rights holders for access and that you are aware of all safety precautions necessary.

References

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Toirano cave system, Toirano, Savona Province, Liguria, ItalyiRegional Level TypesToirano cave systemGroup of Caves ToiranoCommune Savona ProvinceProvince LiguriaRegion ItalyCountry function showexplain() { $("#locexplain").toggle(); if (typeof movemap === "function") movemap(); }

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Mineral List

Rock Types Recorded

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Detailed Mineral List:

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

List of minerals for each chemical element

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References

Toirano cave system, Toirano, Savona Province, Liguria, Italy i
Regional Level Types
Toirano cave system Group of Caves
Toirano Commune
Savona Province Province
Liguria Region
Italy Country