Non-lithifying microbial ecosystem dissolves peritidal lime sand | CU Experts

Abstract; Microbialites accrete where environmental conditions and microbial metabolisms promote lithification, commonly through carbonate cementation. On Little Ambergris Cay, Turks and Caicos Islands, microbial mats occur widely in peritidal environments above ooid sand, but they do not become lithified or preserved. Sediment cores and porewater geochemistry indicate that aerobic respiration and sulfide oxidation inhibit lithification, dissolving calcium carbonate sand despite widespread aragonite precipitation from platform surface waters. In tidally pumped environments, primary productivity and respiration can negate the effects of taphonomically-favorable seawater chemistry on carbonate mineral saturation and microbialite development.

Present T; Gomes M; Trower E; Stein N; Lingappa U; Naviaux J; Thorpe M; Cantine M; Fischer W; Knoll A

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