Stromatolites and MISS—Differences between relatives

[摘要] Benthic microorganisms form highly organized communities called“biofilms.” A biofilm consists of the individual cells plus their extracellularpolymeric substances (EPS). In marine and non-marine environments, benthic microbialcommunities interact with the physical sediment dynamics and other factors in theenvironment in order to survive. This interaction can produce distinctive sedimentarystructures called microbialites. Binding, biostabilization, baffling, and trappingof sediment particles by microorganisms result in the formation of microbially inducedsedimentary structures (MISS); however, if carbonate precipitation occurs in EPS,and these processes happen in a repetitive manner, a multilayered build-up can form—stromatolites.Stromatolites and MISS are first found in the early Archean, recording highly evolvedmicrobial activity early in Earth’s history. Whereas the stromatolites show enormousmorphologic and taxonomic variation, MISS seem not to have changed in morphologysince their first appearance. MISS might be the older relative, but due to the lackof well-preserved sedimentary rocks older than 3.5 billion years, the origin ofboth stromatolites and MISS remains uncertain.

[学科分类] 地质学

[关键词] Fire safety;fatal fires;smoke alarms