Defining organominerals: Comment on ‘Defining biominerals and organominerals: Direct and indirect indicators of life’ by Perry et al. (2007, Sedimentary Geology, 201, 157–179)

Abstract

The paper by Perry et al. (2007, Defining biominerals and organominerals: Direct and indirect indicators of life, Sedimentary Geology, 201, 157-179) proposes to introduce "the new term 'organomineral'" to describe mineral products whose formation is induced by byproducts of biological activity, dead and decaying organisms, or nonbiological organic compounds, to be distinguished from the biomineral components of living organisms. The substantive 'organomineral', however, is not new: it was first introduced in 1993, with basically the same definition and distinction from biominerals, at the 7th International Symposium on Biomineralization (Défarge and Trichet, 1995, From biominerals to

Micro-framework reconstruction from peloidal-dominated mud mounds (Viséan, SW Spain)

“…81-88): (1) physicochemical precipitation (e.g. : Macintyre 1985), (2) in-place mineralization via organic matrices (organomicrites sensu Reitner 1993; see organomineral deWnition comment in Défarge et al 2009), and (3) via metabolic processes related to microbial benthic communities causing carbonate precipitation (Castanier et al 1999;Chafetz 1986;Pomar and Hallock 2008). Petrographically, the possible origins are not possible to recognize because diVerent processes result in similar end products.…”

Reply to “Reply to comments on defining biominerals and organominerals: Direct and indirect indicators of life [Perry et al., Sedimentary Geology, 201, 157–179]” by R.S. Perry and M.A. Sephton

“…First of all, contrary to all academic custom, Perry and Sephton's reply does not include the least excuse for not having quoted, in Perry et al (2007), former definitions of organominerals, in particular those given by Défarge and Trichet (1995) and Trichet and Défarge (1995), which they were aware of (Altermann et al, 2009;Défarge et al, 2009). Moreover they repeat this cavalier attitude in their reply, in which the title of Défarge et al's (2009) comment is cited without its incipit "Defining organominerals: [Comments on 'Defining biominerals and organominerals: direct and indirect indicators of life']".…”

“…The best reply to Perry and Sephton's (2009) reply to comments by Altermann et al (2009) and Défarge et al (2009) on the paper by Perry et al (2007, Defining biominerals and organominerals: direct and indirect indicators of life, Sedimentary Geology 201, 157-179) still remains these very comments, which Perry and Sephton do not seem to have carefully read. However the authors' reply is so remote from the customary practice of scientific discussion that a further answer is called for.…”

“…Finally, Perry and Sephton (2009) abruptly claim, without any discussion of former definitions of organominerals or of critical remarks addressed to Perry et al (2007), that the term 'organomineral' is "now newly defined" (by Perry et al, 2007), although both Altermann et al (2009) andDéfarge et al (2009) have shown that Perry et al's paper does not contain a single clear definition of these objects. In accord with Altermann et al (2009), we persist in considering that Perry et al's (2007) 'new' definition of organominerals is unnecessary, unfounded, and introduces confusion that is detrimental to a fine understanding of geobiological and astrobiological processes and products.…”

“…In accord with Altermann et al (2009), we persist in considering that Perry et al's (2007) 'new' definition of organominerals is unnecessary, unfounded, and introduces confusion that is detrimental to a fine understanding of geobiological and astrobiological processes and products. In these scientific domains, the only valid definition of organominerals that has proved useful until now remains that of Défarge and Trichet (1995) and Trichet and Défarge (1995), as recapped and specified by Défarge et al (2009) or Défarge (in press).…”