Functional complexity of modern marine stromatolites

这项研究有可能提供关于这些古老生态系统的最详细的数据，并将为西澳大利亚著名的现代叠层石的环境管理提供信息。澳大利亚需要科学家将他们的研究应用于微生物与地球材料的相互作用，在这里开展的生物学和地质学之间的协同作用有可能解决叠层石解释中的许多悬而未决的问题。此外，该项目有可能为改善水质、澳大利亚日益严重的盐碱化问题以及开发新的药物做出贡献。

This research has the potential for providing the most detailed data regarding these ancient ecosystems, and will provide information for the environmental management of the famous modern stromatolites of Western Australia. Australia needs scientists applying their research to interactions of microorganisms with earth materials, and the synergy between biology and geology undertaken here has the potential to solve many outstanding problems in the interpretation of stromatolites. In addition, this project has the potential for contributing to improvements in water quality, Australia's growing salinity problem, and in the development of new pharmaceuticals.