Alejandra Santiago Torres, G. Michael Grammer, Gregor P. Eberli, Mara R. Diaz, Jay M. Gregg
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
The effect of microbial binding for the stabilization of steep carbonate slopes is well documented in Cenozoic examples but its significance and relationship with abiotic marine cements in Paleozoic reef systems and steep slopes is not clearly established. Here, samples from a Late Silurian (Ludlovian) reef complex are evaluated by using an integrated approach that involves petrographic and isotope analyses, cathodoluminescence microscopy, and environmental scanning electron microscopy. This study reveals the in situ production of mineral fabrics of microbial origins, including micrite, peloidal micrite with dendritic fabrics, meniscus, and bridge-like cements. This study stresses the leading role of microbes in the early lithification stages that led to the stabilization of Silurian steep carbonate slopes. These findings are further supported by the occurrence of fossilized microbes and extracellular polymeric substance. The micritic cements are the first step in the diagenetic paragenesis followed by abiotic fibrous and equant calcite cements whose stable isotope values are in concert with estimated values of calcite precipitated in equilibrium with Silurian seawater. Results from this project provide insights into the relationship between microbial binding and early abiotic marine cements in ancient reef systems and, further, provide evidence for a consortia of microbes that existed 440 Ma ago.
期刊介绍:
The journal is open to papers dealing with the interpretation of ancient and modern biotopes and carbonate depositional environments by means of facies analysis in its broadest sense. Once the central part of research in hydrocarbon exploration, facies analysis more and more integrates modern and ancient biogeological processes of a changing earth. Special emphasis is laid on paleobiology and -ecology, basin evolution, sedimentology including diagenesis and geochemistry, as well as studies emphasising the impact of life on earth history. The main part of the target group will be people in academia.