Bacterially induced precipitation of CaCO sub 3 : An example from studies of cyanobacterial mats
Bacteria induce the precipitation of calcium carbonate in the laboratory and in nature by altering their chemical environment. Geologists are recognizing the possibility that bacterially induced precipitates may form significant mineral deposits, unfortunately, there are currently no sound criteria by which they can be recognized in recent sediments, or in the rock record. Cultures of aerobic and facultative bacteria from cyanobacterial mats on Andros Island, Bahamas, and Baffin Bay, Texas, induced the precipitation of calcium carbonate under controlled conditions. Crusts, the largest features formed, are composed of 5--200{mu}m diameter bundles which are, in turn, composed of numerous individual crystals. The smallest observed features are 0.1--0.4{mu}m spheres and rods which comprise some individual crystals and crystal bundles. Crystal bundles resembling rhombohedra, tetragonal disphenoids, tetragonal dipyramids, and calcite dumbbells appear to be uniquely bacterial in origin, and they have all been observed in recent sediments. Swollen rods, discs, curved dumbbells, and 50--200{mu}m optically continuous crystals resembling brushes may be uniquely bacterial in origin, however, they have not been reported by other laboratories nor observed in natural settings. Presence of any of these forms in recent sediments should be taken as strong evidence for bacterial influence. Spheres and aragonite dumbbells have also been observed in natural environments, however, they are not always bacterial in origin. Precipitation of calcium carbonate occurs preferentially on dead cyanobacteria in the presence of bacteria. Lithification of algal mats to form stromatolites may take place in the zone of decaying organic matter due to bacterial activity.
- Research Organization:
- Texas Univ., Houston, TX (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG05-87ER13771
- OSTI ID:
- 7198314
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/ER/13771-1; ON: DE92019050
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Thesis (Ph.D.). Contains thesis by Chris Buczynski: Characteristics of bacterially induced precipitates of calcium carbonate from the laboratory, and from cyanobacterial mats of Baffin Bay, Texas, and Andros Island, Bahamas
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Origin of whitings: A biologically induced nonskeletal mechanism
Geoscience Perspectives in Carbon Sequestration - Educational Training and Research Through Classroom, Field, and Laboratory Investigations
Related Subjects
58 GEOSCIENCES
CARBON CYCLE
CYANOBACTERIA
WATER CHEMISTRY
LIMESTONE
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
BAHAMA ISLANDS
CALCIUM CARBONATES
CLIMATIC CHANGE
PROGRESS REPORT
TEXAS
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
CALCIUM COMPOUNDS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBONATE ROCKS
CARBONATES
CHEMISTRY
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
DOCUMENT TYPES
FEDERAL REGION VI
ISLANDS
MICROORGANISMS
MICROSCOPY
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
USA
WEST INDIES
540110*
540210 - Environment
Terrestrial- Basic Studies- (1990-)
580000 - Geosciences