The Genesis and Time Distribution of Two Distinctive Proterozoic Stromatolite Microstructures

Knoll, Andrew H.; Семихатов, М. А.

doi:10.2307/3515471

Cited by 92 publications

(61 citation statements)

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“…Very often, fossilized Pleurocapsales cells were clearly visible in the aragonite matrix (for example, Figures 6 and 8; Couradeau et al, 2013), whereas in other cases we only detected residual photosynthetic pigments forming laminations in aragonite (Figure 4 and Supplementary Figure S4). These different patterns could be due to different rates of aragonite precipitation or different states of aragonite diagenesis (Kah and Knoll, 1996;Knoll and Semikhatov, 1998). Considering the taxonomic specificity linked to aragonite precipitation, a biogenic origin for this mineral in Alchichica microbialites is the most likely hypothesis.…”

Section: Leptolyngbya Rivularia Genera or Pleurocapsales (Supplementarymentioning

confidence: 99%

Specific carbonate–microbe interactions in the modern microbialites of Lake Alchichica (Mexico)

et al. 2013

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The role of microorganisms in microbialite formation remains unresolved: do they induce mineral precipitation (microbes first) or do they colonize and/or entrap abiotic mineral precipitates (minerals first)? Does this role vary from one species to another? And what is the impact of mineral precipitation on microbial ecology? To explore potential biogenic carbonate precipitation, we studied cyanobacteria–carbonate assemblages in modern hydromagnesite-dominated microbialites from the alkaline Lake Alchichica (Mexico), by coupling three-dimensional imaging of molecular fluorescence emitted by microorganisms, using confocal laser scanning microscopy, and Raman scattering/spectrometry from the associated minerals at a microscale level. Both hydromagnesite and aragonite precipitate within a complex biofilm composed of photosynthetic and other microorganisms. Morphology and pigment-content analysis of dominant photosynthetic microorganisms revealed up to six different cyanobacterial morphotypes belonging to Oscillatoriales, Chroococcales, Nostocales and Pleurocapsales, as well as several diatoms and other eukaryotic microalgae. Interestingly, one of these morphotypes, Pleurocapsa-like, appeared specifically associated with aragonite minerals, the oldest parts of actively growing Pleurocapsa-like colonies being always aragonite-encrusted. We hypothesize that actively growing cells of Pleurocapsales modify local environmental conditions favoring aragonite precipitation at the expense of hydromagnesite, which precipitates at seemingly random locations within the biofilm. Therefore, at least part of the mineral precipitation in Alchichica microbialites is most likely biogenic and the type of biominerals formed depends on the nature of the phylogenetic lineage involved. This observation may provide clues to identify lineage-specific biosignatures in fossil stromatolites from modern to Precambrian times.

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Section: Leptolyngbya Rivularia Genera or Pleurocapsales (Supplementarymentioning

confidence: 99%

Specific carbonate–microbe interactions in the modern microbialites of Lake Alchichica (Mexico)

et al. 2013

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“…In the coniform stromatolites, microbial activity is inferred from the juxtaposition of contemporaneous but contrasting sedimentary fabrics and their arrangement within the context of stromatolite morphology. In both instances the interpretation benefits from comparisons with microbially-influenced microstructure in well-preserved Proterozoic stromatolites (25). Unfortunately, microfossils are not preserved because of redistribution of the organic material by neomorphic crystal growth during recrystallization.…”

Section: Genesis and Variability Of Stromatolitesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An alternative hypothesis that incorporates alternating clastic sedimentation and biofilm-nucleated precipitation arises from comparison with Mesoproterozoic Omachtenia omachtensis and Gongylina differenciata stromatolites (Uchuro-Maya region, Siberia) (25). The microstructure of those stromatolites formed by emplacement of mm-scale sediment-rich laminae during depositional events such as storms or high tides, alternating with development of thin, laterally continuous micritic laminae, preserved by penecontemporaneous mineral precipitation within thin organic sheets (Fig.…”

Section: Coniform Stromatolitesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Controls on development and diversity of Early Archean stromatolites

Allwood

Grotzinger

Knoll

et al. 2009

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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249

130

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The Ϸ3,450-million-year-old Strelley Pool Formation in Western Australia contains a reef-like assembly of laminated sedimentary accretion structures (stromatolites) that have macroscale characteristics suggestive of biological influence. However, direct microscale evidence of biology-namely, organic microbial remains or biosedimentary fabrics-has to date eluded discovery in the extensively-recrystallized rocks. Recently-identified outcrops with relatively good textural preservation record microscale evidence of primary sedimentary processes, including some that indicate probable microbial mat formation. Furthermore, we find relict fabrics and organic layers that covary with stromatolite morphology, linking morphologic diversity to changes in sedimentation, seafloor mineral precipitation, and inferred microbial mat development. Thus, the most direct and compelling signatures of life in the Strelley Pool Formation are those observed at the microscopic scale. By examining spatiotemporal changes in microscale characteristics it is possible not only to recognize the presence of probable microbial mats during stromatolite development, but also to infer aspects of the biological inputs to stromatolite morphogenesis. The persistence of an inferred biological signal through changing environmental circumstances and stromatolite types indicates that benthic microbial populations adapted to shifting environmental conditions in early oceans.microbe ͉ paleontology ͉ biosignature ͉ carbonate ͉ reef

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“…The Derevnya and Neryuen Formations are characterized by distinctive cycles of the stromatolite forms Conophyton, Jacutophyton and Baicalia, likely produced by sea level oscillation (Bertrand-Sarfati and Moussine-Pouchkine, 1985;Petrov and Veis, 1995 (Knoll and Semikhatov, 1998). The Middle Riphean parts of both successions contain endemic and long-ranging Middle-Upper Riphean stromatolites.…”

Section: Correlations Between the Turukhansk And Uchur-maya Regionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global events across the Mesoproterozoic–Neoproterozoic boundary: C and Sr isotopic evidence from Siberia

Bartley¹,

Семихатов²,

Kaufman³

et al. 2001

Precambrian Research

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170

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The Genesis and Time Distribution of Two Distinctive Proterozoic Stromatolite Microstructures

Cited by 92 publications

References 0 publications

Specific carbonate–microbe interactions in the modern microbialites of Lake Alchichica (Mexico)

Specific carbonate–microbe interactions in the modern microbialites of Lake Alchichica (Mexico)

Controls on development and diversity of Early Archean stromatolites

Global events across the Mesoproterozoic–Neoproterozoic boundary: C and Sr isotopic evidence from Siberia

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