Stromatolite‐rimmed thrombolite columns and domes constructed by microstromatolites, calcimicrobes and sponges in late Cambrian biostromes, Texas, <scp>USA</scp>

Lee, Jeong‐Hyun; Riding, Robert

doi:10.1111/sed.13048

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…The clotted micrite structure in the Nanga section is different from the most typical clotted micrite structure that is described [41], because (1) the widths of the sparry microtubules in the clotted micrite structure are too thick (generally about 15-50 µm), and (2) the sparry microtubules in the clotted micrite structure rarely bend. But this phenomenon has also been interpreted as an example of the clotted micrite structure [44], or as another form of expression of the same phenomenon described by the clotted micrite structure [45]. The clotted micrite structure in this article is different from the bird eye structure in that the sparry microtubules are not round, and they are also smaller in size.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

Oolitic Limestone Induced by Photosynthetic Biofilms in the Xuzhuang Formation of Nangao Section, North China

2024

Minerals

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The role of biofilms in the formation of ooids is a focal point of current research. This study synthesizes macroscopic data with microscopic observations to analyze the depositional environment and genesis of oolitic limestone within the Xuzhuang Formation at the Nangao section. Notably, cerebroid ooids with unique cortical morphologies have been discovered. Within the nucleus, cortex, and the lumps among the ooids, a high-density preservation of Girvanella has been identified. Clotted micrite structures have also been observed within the filler content. The findings suggest that phototrophic biofilms have facilitated the formation of oolitic limestone in this profile, offering direct evidence for the connection between the festooned cortical morphologies and biofilms. This study further questions the interpretation of clotted micrite structures as sponge remains. These insights significantly enhance our understanding of the causal factors behind ooid formation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

Oolitic Limestone Induced by Photosynthetic Biofilms in the Xuzhuang Formation of Nangao Section, North China

2024

Minerals

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“…The term microstromatolite, applied to many cave and continental deposits (e.g. Lanier, 1986; Jones et al ., 1997; Konhauser et al ., 2001; Handley et al ., 2008; Jones & Renaut, 2010; Lee & Riding, 2022), is used herein to represent micro‐sized, laminated microbial deposits that grow away from a point or limited surface of initiation as they develop. The definition combines both descriptive (Semikhatov et al ., 1979, p. 992) and genetic (e.g.…”

Section: Terminologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Carbonate microbialites and chemotrophic microbes: Insights from caves from south‐east China

Ren,

Jones,

Nie

et al. 2024

Sedimentology

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Chemosynthetic microorganisms facilitate microbialite development in many caves throughout the world. In Youqin Cave and Tian'e Cave, located in the Carboniferous–Triassic carbonates on the South China Block, five Quaternary speleothems (stalagmite, stalactite and cave pearl) that are 2.3 to 11.0 cm long were examined for their petrographic, geochemical and microbiological features to reveal how chemotrophs contribute to microbialite growth. In the speleothems, millimetre‐sized stromatolites, thrombolites and calcified microbial mats are characterized by alternating light, calcitic microlaminae and dark, clay and organic‐rich calcite microlaminae. Filamentous (reticulate, smooth, nodular and helical), coccoid and bacilliform microbes, originally carried into the caves from surface soils, are more common in the dark microlaminae/clots than in the light microlaminae. 16S rRNA gene sequencing shows that the biotas in the microbialites are dominated by chemoorganotrophic heterotrophic bacteria, including primarily Sphingomonas, Crossiella and Acinetobacter, and rare Archaea. Diverse metabolic pathways of these prokaryotes, including ureolysis, denitrification and nitrite ammonification, contributed to increases in localized pH and/or dissolved inorganic carbon in these microenvironments, prompting carbonate precipitation. Development of the cave microbialites was probably controlled by the evolution of the cave microbial community as environmental conditions changed. Microbialite growth was probably mediated by the microorganisms that flourished on the speleothem surfaces during periods of low drip water rates and slow calcite precipitation. The change from microstromatolites to microthrombolites was probably linked to a decrease in cell populations in the microbial communities. These cave microbialites provide clear insights regarding the biogenicity and growth mechanisms of chemosynthetic microbialites. Given their association with chemolithotrophic activities that can date back to the Meso‐Archean, cave microbialites provide insights into the biogenicity and growth mechanisms of chemosynthesis‐based microbialites throughout geological history.

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“…Luo & Reitner's (2014) work was developed by Luo & Reitner (2016), and these studies were subsequently used to support numerous proposals of keratose sponges in thin sections of other carbonates from Neoproterozoic to at least Triassic time (see compilation of publications in Table S1). Key examples are by Reitner et al (2001), Luo & Reitner (2014, Lee & Hong (2019), Lee & Riding (2021a,b, 2022, 2023, Baud et al (2021), Pei et al (2021a,b), Pham et al (2021), Gischler et al (2021), Turner (2021) and Reitner et al (2021). Luo et al (2022) presented criteria for recognition of fossil keratose sponges, which are discussed later.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Key examples are by Reitner et al . (2001), Luo & Reitner (2014, 2016), Lee & Hong (2019), Lee & Riding (2021a,b, 2022, 2023), Baud et al . (2021), Pei et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Keratose sponges in ancient carbonates – A problem of interpretation

et al. 2022

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Reports of diverse vermiform and peloidal structures in Neoproterozoic to Mesozoic open marine to peritidal carbonates include cases interpreted to be keratose sponges. However, living keratose sponges have elaborate, highly elastic skeletons of spongin (a mesoscopic end‐member of a hierarchical assemblage of collagenous structures) lacking spicules, thus have poor preservation potential in contrast to the more easily fossilized spicule‐bearing sponges. Such interpreted fossil keratose sponges comprise diverse layered, network, amalgamated, granular and variegated microfabrics of narrow curved, branching, vesicular–cellular to irregular areas of calcite cement, thought to represent former spongin, embedded in microcrystalline to peloidal carbonate. Interpreted keratose sponges are presented in publications almost entirely in two‐dimensional (thin section) studies, usually displayed normal to bedding, lacking mesoscopic three‐dimensional views in support of a sponge body fossil. For these structures to be keratose sponges critically requires conversion of the spongin skeleton into the calcite cement component, under shallow‐burial conditions and this must have occurred prior to compaction. However, there is no robust petrographic–geochemical evidence that the fine‐grained carbonate component originated from sponge mummification (automicritic body fossils via calcification of structural tissue components) because in the majority of cases the fine‐grained component is homogenous and thus likely to be deposited sediment. Thus, despite numerous studies, verification of fossil keratose sponges is lacking. Although some may be sponges, all can be otherwise explained. Alternatives include: (i) meiofaunal activity; (ii) layered microbial (spongiostromate) accretion; (iii) sedimentary peloidal to clotted micrites; (iv) fluid escape and capture resulting in bird's eye to vuggy porosities; and (v) moulds of siliceous sponge spicules. Uncertainty of keratose sponge identification is fundamental and far‐reaching for understanding: (i) microfacies and diagenesis where they occur; (ii) fossil assemblages; and (iii) wider aspects of origins of animal clades, sponge ecology, evolution and the systemic recovery from mass extinctions. Thus, alternative explanations must be considered.

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Stromatolite‐rimmed thrombolite columns and domes constructed by microstromatolites, calcimicrobes and sponges in late Cambrian biostromes, Texas, USA

Cited by 5 publications

References 156 publications

Oolitic Limestone Induced by Photosynthetic Biofilms in the Xuzhuang Formation of Nangao Section, North China

Oolitic Limestone Induced by Photosynthetic Biofilms in the Xuzhuang Formation of Nangao Section, North China

Carbonate microbialites and chemotrophic microbes: Insights from caves from south‐east China

Keratose sponges in ancient carbonates – A problem of interpretation

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