Microbial precipitation of pedogenic calcite

Journal Article · Tue Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1991 · Geology; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1991)019<0997:MPOPC>2.3.CO;2· OSTI ID:5995908

Monger, H C; Daugherty, L A; Lindemann, W C; Liddell, C M ^[1]

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1. New Mexico State Univ., Las Cruces (United States)

Pedogenic calcite in desert soils has become increasingly important as an indicator of paleoclimate, landscape stability, and landscape age. This study indicates that calcic and petrocalcic horizons in desert soils are not simply the result of inorganic precipitation of calcite. Soil microorganisms were found to be involved in calcite precipitation in a typical desert soil near Las Cruces, New Mexico. Fossilized remains of calcified fungal hyphae and Microcodium structures are abundant in the petrocalcic horizon. Soil bacteria and fungi precipitated calcite when cultured on a Ca-rich medium. In an experiment where soil columns were irrigated on a Ca-rich solutions, calcite formed in soils containing soil microorganisms, but no calcite formed in sterile soils. Thus, biomineralization of calcite by soil microorganisms appears to be an important mechanism of unknown magnitude.

• OSTI ID: 5995908
• Journal Information: Geology; (United States), Journal Name: Geology; (United States) Vol. 19:10; ISSN GLGYB; ISSN 0091-7613
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540210 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Basic Studies-- (1990-)
58 GEOSCIENCES
580000* -- Geosciences
AGE ESTIMATION
ARID LANDS
BACTERIA
BIOLOGICAL MARKERS
BIOSYNTHESIS
CALCITE
CARBONATE MINERALS
DESERTS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
FEDERAL REGION VI
FOSSILS
FUNGI
MICROORGANISMS
MINERALIZATION
MINERALS
NEW MEXICO
NORTH AMERICA
ORIGIN
PALEOCLIMATOLOGY
PALEONTOLOGY
PLANTS
PRECIPITATION
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOILS
SYNTHESIS
USA