Microbialite Accretion and Growth: Lessons from Shark Bay and the Bahamas

Microbialites provide geological evidence of one of Earth's oldest ecosystems, potentially recording long-standing interactions between coevolving life and the environment. Here, we focus on microbialite accretion and growth and consider how environmental and microbial forces that characterize...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annual review of marine science 2024-01, Vol.16 (1), p.487-511
Main Authors: Reid, R. Pamela, Suosaari, Erica P, Oehlert, Amanda M, Pollier, Clément G.L, Dupraz, Christophe
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accretion
Bahamas
Diagenesis
Ecosystems
Growth patterns
Lithification
Marine fishes
microbialite
Microorganisms
Preservation
Shark Bay
Sharks
Taphonomy
Three dimensional models
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Summary:Microbialites provide geological evidence of one of Earth's oldest ecosystems, potentially recording long-standing interactions between coevolving life and the environment. Here, we focus on microbialite accretion and growth and consider how environmental and microbial forces that characterize living ecosystems in Shark Bay and the Bahamas interact to form an initial microbialite architecture, which in turn establishes distinct evolutionary pathways. A conceptual three-dimensional model is developed for microbialite accretion that emphasizes the importance of a dynamic balance between extrinsic and intrinsic factors in determining the initial architecture. We then explore how early taphonomic and diagenetic processes modify the initial architecture, culminating in various styles of preservation in the rock record. The timing of lithification of microbial products is critical in determining growth patterns and preservation potential. Study results have shown that all microbialites are not created equal; the unique evolutionary history of an individual microbialite matters.
ISSN:1941-1405
1941-0611
1941-0611
DOI:10.1146/annurev-marine-021423-124637