Microbially induced sedimentary structure

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Burgsvik beds of Sweden, where the texture was first identified as evidence of a microbial mat.[1]

Microbially induced sedimentary structures (MISS) are primary sedimentary structures formed by the interaction of microbes with sediment and physical agents of erosion, deposition, and transportation.[2][3][4][5] The structures commonly form when microbial mats (which may comprise bacteria, fungi, protozoans, archaea or algae) are preserved in the sedimentary geological record.[6] There are 17 main types of macroscopic and microscopic MISS.[7] Of those, wrinkle structures [8] and microbial mat chips are the most abundant in the fossil record. Other MISS include sinoidal structures, polygonal oscillation cracks, multidirected ripple marks,[9] erosional remnants and pockets, or gas domes.

Although these structures have only recently been named and systematically described, links between microbes and distinctive structures in sediments and sedimentary rocks have been suggested by several early workers.

Agronomic revolution[7][15][16][17]

A number of criteria have been proposed for recognising genuinely biological structures, and discriminating them from similar-looking features that can arise through geological processes. These relate to the extent of metamorphism to which the rocks have been subjected; their stratigraphic position with respect to sea-level; their depositional environment; their relationship to ancient hydraulics; and their texture.[6]

Individual studies on microbial mat-induced sedimentary structures are summarized and illustrated in several recent books, including Atlas of microbial mat features preserved in the siliciclastic rock record [18] and Microbial Mats in Siliciclastic Depositional Systems Through Time.[19]

According to a study on the planet Mars, there may be sandstone beds, associated with the Gillespie Lake Member of Yellowknife Bay, visited by the Curiosity rover, that are similar to MISS on Earth.[20]

See also

References

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    S2CID 129854399
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  3. ^ Noffke, N., 2003, Microbially induced sedimentary structures, in Middleton, G.V., ed., Encyclopedia of Sediments and Sedimentary Rocks: Boston, Kluwer Academic Publishers, p. 439-440.
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  7. ^ a b c Noffke, N., 2010, Microbial Mats in Sandy Deposits from the Archean Era to Today: Springer Verlag, Heidelberg, 193 p.
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  11. ^ Pratt, B.R., 2003, Stromatolites, in Middleton, G.V., ed., Encyclopedia of Sediments and Sedimentary Rocks: Boston, Kluwer Academic Press, p. 688-690.
  12. ^ Gerdes, G. and Krumbein, 1987, Biolaminated deposits: Springer, Heidelberg, 169 p.
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    AP News
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    PMID 24205812
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  18. ^ Schieber et al., eds., 2007, Atlas of microbial mat features preserved in the siliciclastic rock record: Elsevier, 324 p.
  19. ^ Noffke, N. and Chaftez, H., 2012, Microbial Mats in Siliciclastic Depositional Systems Through Time: SEPM Special Publication 101.
  20. PMID 25495393
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