Stromatolites in Caves in Southeastern Brazil and their Importance to Geoconservation

Vasconcelos, André Gomide; Bittencourt, Jonathas S.; Eliziário, Neuber F.; Kraemer, Bruno Machado; Auler, Augusto S.

doi:10.1007/s12371-020-00469-0

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 41 publications

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“…It consists of low-grade metamorphic sequences of carbonates (dolomite) and pelites, whose deposition is attributed to a shallow marine platform setting (Falci et al, 2018). Late Mesoproterozoic age is indicated by the occurrence of conical stromatolites of the genus Conophyton in some stratigraphic units (Dardenne, 2000;Dardenne, 2005;Vasconcelos et al, 2020), and Re-Os dating that yielded 1,304 ± 210 Ma (Bertoni et al, 2014). Chronological constraints are established by U-Pb dating of detrital zircon grains from the Upper Vazante Group (Rocinha Formation), which provided 935 ± 14 Ma (Rodrigues et al, 2012).…”

Section: Geological Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence for metabolic diversity in Meso-Neoproterozoic stromatolites (Vazante Group, Brazil)

Callefo

Ricardi-Branco²,

Pacheco³

et al. 2022

Front. Earth Sci.

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Deciphering the evolution of ecological interactions among the metabolic types during the early diversification of life on Earth is crucial for our understanding of the ancient biosphere. The stromatolites from the genus Conophyton cylindricus represent a datum for the Proterozoic (Meso to Neoproterozoic) on Earth. Their typical conical shape has been considered a result of a competition between microorganisms for space, light and nutrients. Well-preserved records of this genus from the “Paleontological Site of Cabeludo”, Vazante Group, São Francisco Craton (Southern Brazil) present in situ fossilized biofilms, containing preserved carbonaceous matter. Petrographic and geochemical analyses revealed an alternation between mineral laminae (light grey laminae) and fossilized biofilms (dark grey laminae). The dark grey laminae comprise three different biofilms recording a stratified microstructure of microbial communities. These three biofilms composing the dark grey laminae tend to be organized in a specific pattern that repeats through the stromatolite vertical section. Iron and manganese are distributed differently along the dark and light grey laminae; X-ray absorption and luminescence data showed possible different areas with authigenic iron and iron provided from diagenetic infiltration. Cryptocrystalline apatite in the lowermost biofilms in each dark grey laminae may suggest past metabolic activity of sulfide-oxidizing bacteria. These findings suggest that the microorganisms reached a complex metabolic diversification in order to maintain an equilibrium situation between the three different biofilms along the vertical section of the structures, thus benefiting the whole microbial community. This means that the stromatolites from the Conophyton genus may have formed as a result of a greater complexity of interactions between microorganisms, and not only from competition between photosynthesizers.

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Section: Geological Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence for metabolic diversity in Meso-Neoproterozoic stromatolites (Vazante Group, Brazil)

Callefo

Ricardi-Branco²,

Pacheco³

et al. 2022

Front. Earth Sci.

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The Funtana Morimenta Ichnosite (Sardinia, Italy): a Potential Geotourist Attraction

Zoboli

Pillola

2021

Geoheritage

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The late Middle Pleistocene ichnosite of Funtana Morimenta (Gonnesa, Italy) provides a relevant scientific and didactic interest. In this site, tracks of megacerine deer and dwarf mammoths of the Ice Age are well-preserved and visible in situ. The geosite has also historic importance, and it has been mentioned since the beginning of the nineteenth century for the sedimentological features and its palaeontological content. For these reasons, the Funtana Morimenta ichnosite would represent an efficient tool for developing educational goals, such as teaching activities or field trips. Unfortunately, in the last years, it has shown significant deterioration because its sedimentological features (poorly cemented aeolian sandstone) made it susceptible to weathering. For this site to be available for future generations, great attention should be posed to its safeguard and avoid the permanent disappearance of what is currently a full-fledged natural and scientific resource. The conservation actions herein proposed will provide several benefits: they are meant to (i) valorize the aeolian deposits and the visible ichnofossils; (ii) show visitors, tourists, or students the geo-palaeontological richness of the territory; (iii) encourage tourists to explore the other numerous geosites spread in the island of Sardinia; and (iv) allow private entrepreneurs or local public administrations to develop economic opportunities.

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Modern supratidal microbialites fed by groundwater: functional drivers, value and trajectories

Rishworth

Dodd

Perissinotto

et al. 2020

Earth-Science Reviews

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Stromatolites in Caves in Southeastern Brazil and their Importance to Geoconservation

Cited by 4 publications

References 41 publications

Evidence for metabolic diversity in Meso-Neoproterozoic stromatolites (Vazante Group, Brazil)

Evidence for metabolic diversity in Meso-Neoproterozoic stromatolites (Vazante Group, Brazil)

The Funtana Morimenta Ichnosite (Sardinia, Italy): a Potential Geotourist Attraction

Modern supratidal microbialites fed by groundwater: functional drivers, value and trajectories

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