Role of microbial mats in the fossilization of soft tissues

Abstract

Research Article| September 01, 1996 Role of microbial mats in the fossilization of soft tissues Philip R. Wilby; Philip R. Wilby 1Department of Geology, University of Bristol, Wills Memorial Building, Queen's Road, Bristol BS8 1RJ, United Kingdom Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Derek E. G. Briggs; Derek E. G. Briggs 1Department of Geology, University of Bristol, Wills Memorial Building, Queen's Road, Bristol BS8 1RJ, United Kingdom Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Paul Bernier; Paul Bernier 2Centre des Sciences de la Terre, Université Claude Bernard, Lyon 1, URA no. 11 du CNRS, 27-43 Boulevard du 11 Novembre 1918, 69622 Villeurbanne Cedex, France Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Christian Gaillard Christian Gaillard 2Centre des Sciences de la Terre, Université Claude Bernard, Lyon 1, URA no. 11 du CNRS, 27-43 Boulevard du 11 Novembre 1918, 69622 Villeurbanne Cedex, France Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Philip R. Wilby 1Department of Geology, University of Bristol, Wills Memorial Building, Queen's Road, Bristol BS8 1RJ, United Kingdom Derek E. G. Briggs 1Department of Geology, University of Bristol, Wills Memorial Building, Queen's Road, Bristol BS8 1RJ, United Kingdom Paul Bernier 2Centre des Sciences de la Terre, Université Claude Bernard, Lyon 1, URA no. 11 du CNRS, 27-43 Boulevard du 11 Novembre 1918, 69622 Villeurbanne Cedex, France Christian Gaillard 2Centre des Sciences de la Terre, Université Claude Bernard, Lyon 1, URA no. 11 du CNRS, 27-43 Boulevard du 11 Novembre 1918, 69622 Villeurbanne Cedex, France Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1996) 24 (9): 787–790. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1996)024<0787:ROMMIT>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Philip R. Wilby, Derek E. G. Briggs, Paul Bernier, Christian Gaillard; Role of microbial mats in the fossilization of soft tissues. Geology 1996;; 24 (9): 787–790. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1996)024<0787:ROMMIT>2.3.CO;2 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 It has been speculated that microbial mats are an important agent in the fossilization of soft tissues, particularly when apatite (Ca5[CO3, PO4]3[OH, F]) is involved. This has been tested by chemical analyses of the Jurassic limestones of Cerin, France, where phosphatized soft tissues are abundant and are associated with unequivocal microbial mats. The sedimentary distribution of P, K, and Fe following deposition was controlled by the presence of the mats. P concentrations in the mats may approach 2.5 times those elsewhere in the sediment. The highest P concentrations correlate with the occurrence of phosphatized soft tissues. This is the first analytical evidence to demonstrate a fundamental role for microbial mats in the preservation of soft-bodied fossils. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.