Microscale observations of sulfate reduction: Correlation of microbial activity with lithified micritic laminae in modern marine stromatolites

Abstract

Research Article| October 01, 2000 Microscale observations of sulfate reduction: Correlation of microbial activity with lithified micritic laminae in modern marine stromatolites Pieter T. Visscher; Pieter T. Visscher 1Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, Groton, Connecticut 06340, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar R. Pamela Reid; R. Pamela Reid 2Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33149, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Brad M. Bebout Brad M. Bebout 3NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California 94035, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2000) 28 (10): 919–922. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2000)28<919:MOOSRC>2.0.CO;2 Article history received: 13 Dec 1999 rev-recd: 21 Jun 2000 accepted: 19 Jul 2000 first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share MailTo Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Pieter T. Visscher, R. Pamela Reid, Brad M. Bebout; Microscale observations of sulfate reduction: Correlation of microbial activity with lithified micritic laminae in modern marine stromatolites. Geology 2000;; 28 (10): 919–922. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2000)28<919:MOOSRC>2.0.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 We report for the first time micrometer-scale correlation of geologic and microbial processes in modern marine stromatolites. Precipitation of micritic laminae in these stromatolites was studied by comparing microstructure, as observed in petrographic thin sections, with microbial sulfate-reduction activity. Two-dimensional mapping of sulfate-reduction rates was implemented by incubating a vertical section of a stromatolite face on silver foil coated with 35SO42−. Our results show that sulfate-reduction activity is high in zones of CaCO3 precipitation and indicate that microbial activity produces lithified micritic laminae near the surface of the stromatolites. Similarities with micritic laminae in ancient stromatolites suggest that sulfate reduction may also have been an important mechanism of carbonate precipitation in these fossilized structures. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.