Microstructure in Modern Marine Stromatolites: A Geomicrobiological Investigation of Processes Forming Lithified Miciritic Laminae

该项目将确定叠层石中微晶碳酸盐的来源：是细菌代谢活动引起的沉淀，还是再悬浮颗粒的物理捕获？来自巴哈马Exuma Cays的结皮和柔软的垫子将与鼓励或抑制结石形成的实验干预进行比较。分析将包括谷物的结构和矿物学，微生物群落的结构，垫子生理学，以及稳定同位素和胞外分泌物的生物地球化学。

This project will determine the origin of microcrystalline carbonate in stromatolites: is it precipitation resulting from bacterial metabolic activity, or physical trapping of resuspended particles? Crusting and "soft" mats from Exuma Cays, Bahamas, will be compared, with experimental intervention to encourage or inhibit lithification. Analyses will include structure and mineralogy of grains, structure of microbe community, mat physiology, and biogeochemistry of stable isotopes and extracellular secretions.