Microbial mats associated with bryozoans (Coorong Lagoon, South Australia)

Bryostromatolites are laminated carbonate rocks composed of bryozoan zoarial laminae. The laminated texture is frequently caused by patterns of bryozoan self overgrowth as a regular defensive tactic against microbial fouling. In the Coorong Lagoon (South Australia), another type of bryostromatolite...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Facies 1999-12, Vol.41 (1), p.1-14
Main Authors: Palinska, Katarzyna A, Scholz, Joachim, Sterflinger, Katja, Gerdes, Gisela, Bone, Yvonne
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bacteriology
Biogeochemistry
Carbonate rocks
Cyanobacteria
Fossils
Lagoons
Mats
Microbiology
Microorganisms
Networks
Paleobiology
Settling
Slime
Surface layer
Texture
Water levels
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Bryostromatolites are laminated carbonate rocks composed of bryozoan zoarial laminae. The laminated texture is frequently caused by patterns of bryozoan self overgrowth as a regular defensive tactic against microbial fouling. In the Coorong Lagoon (South Australia), another type of bryostromatolite is present where the laminated growth of the weakly calcifying bryozoan speciesConopeum aciculata is postmortally stabilized by cyanobacterial mats at the surface, and fungal mats settling in the zooecial cavities. A tough extracellular slime network produced by benthic cyanobacteria is a trap for sediment particles, provides a method of adhesion to the bryozoan substrate, and produces a biological lamination by the vertical stratification of dead bryozoan skeletons. These slimes are also important for the preservation of cell structures and for their fossilization. Seasonal fluctuations in salinity and water level are the most important regional control factors, causing a phase displacement in the growth optima of microbial mats and bryozoans, thereby resulting in a rigid bryostromatolitic fabric.
ISSN:0172-9179
1612-4820
DOI:10.1007/BF02537456