Electronic Resource
Oxford, UK
:
Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Sedimentology
30 (1983), S. 0
ISSN:
1365-3091
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Geosciences
Notes:
Microscopic and SEM observations indicate that cyanobacterial activity was important during the formation of the Campanian Negev phosphorites. One aspect of such activity is the development of phosphorites through the binding of phosphate particles. These sediments often demonstrate a conspicuous smooth cryptalgal lamination. The algal binder was fossilized as intertwined phosphatic sheaths that coat and seal off the phosphate grains. Different types of sheaths representing the remnants of an algal community were found. Thick apatite overgrowth commonly deforms the microbial fossils converting them into barely recognizable forms. Fabrication of phosphate particles is another aspect of the microbial activity. Phosphate algal coated grains are a common constituent of the Negev phosphorites. The algal coating consists of stacked phosphatic tubes and colonies of coccoid unicells with an apatite infilling. Fragmented phosphatic sheath bundles form another type of phosphate particle produced by algae. Obliteration of algal structures is common, resulting in undifferentiated groundmasses of cryptocrystalline apatite. The extremely close connection between microbial structures and phosphatization processes suggests cyanobacterial participation in phosphorus enrichment.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3091.1983.tb00680.x
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