Manganese stromatolites in caves: El Soplao (Cantabria, Spain)

Abstract

Research Article| December 01, 2010 Manganese stromatolites in caves: El Soplao (Cantabria, Spain) Carlos Rossi; Carlos Rossi 1Departamento de Petrología y Geoquímica, Facultad de Ciencias Geológicas, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Rafael P. Lozano; Rafael P. Lozano 2Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, Ríos Rosas 23, 28003 Madrid, Spain Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Núria Isanta; Núria Isanta 2Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, Ríos Rosas 23, 28003 Madrid, Spain Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar John Hellstrom John Hellstrom 3School of Earth Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2010) 38 (12): 1119–1122. https://doi.org/10.1130/G31283.1 Article history received: 07 Apr 2010 rev-recd: 18 Jul 2010 accepted: 20 Jul 2010 first online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Carlos Rossi, Rafael P. Lozano, Núria Isanta, John Hellstrom; Manganese stromatolites in caves: El Soplao (Cantabria, Spain). Geology 2010;; 38 (12): 1119–1122. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G31283.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract In the dark regions of caves, the formation of stromatolites is virtually unknown. Although Mn oxide crusts presumably induced by bacteria have been described in some caves, they lack stromatolite features, and the evidence of microbial origin is normally inconclusive. Here we describe for the first time the occurrence of extensive Mn oxide stromatolites formed in the deep interior of a cave. The stromatolites are of decimeter thickness and kilometer extent and show features extremely similar to typical CaCO3 stromatolites. However, unlike most stromatolites, their biogenicity is supported by the exceptional abundance of fossil microbes. Our data support that the stromatolites were mainly induced by chemolithotrophic Mn-oxidizing microbes, and were formed in a low-gradient water-table stream passage at least ∼1 m.y. ago. The El Soplao stromatolites (Cantabria, Spain) may contribute to increasing our understanding of microbial life in extreme environments, as well as the role of bacteria in the genesis of modern and ancient Mn deposits. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.