Abstract
Stromatolites are a uniquely coupled geo-biosphere system, which potentially records important paleoenvironmental and biological information. Characterizing and distinguishing between the biological and physical factors that control stromatolite morphogenesis, therefore, has important implications for the understanding of modern stromatolites and the interpretation of ancient systems. This paper documents the occurrence and distribution of stromatolites with distinct growth morphologies in the Highborne Cay reef system and other locations in Exuma Cays, Bahamas, and explores the relative contributions of physical and biological environmental factors controlling stromatolite shape. Our observations suggest that macro-scale growth morphologies of Exuma stromatolites are primarily controlled by accommodation space, hydrodynamics, and sedimentation patterns. The latter are critical for the stromatolite ecosystem in that the suspended sediment provides grains for trapping and binding and thus stromatolite accretion. Furthermore, sediment burial removes macroalgae, allowing the prokaryotic community to dominate. Changes in sedimentation patterns and frequency allow for the colonization of stromatolites by macroalgae and boring macrofauna, which, in time, destroy and degrade the stromatolite structure.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 319-328 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Sedimentary Geology |
| Volume | 185 |
| Issue number | 3-4 SPEC. ISS. |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Mar 15 2006 |
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Keywords
- Bahamas
- Growth morphologies
- Modern marine stromatolites
- Stromatolite columns
- Stromatolite ridges
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Geology
- Stratigraphy
Cite this
Growth morphologies of modern marine stromatolites : A case study from Highborne Cay, Bahamas. / Andres, Miriam S.; Reid, Pamela R.
In: Sedimentary Geology, Vol. 185, No. 3-4 SPEC. ISS., 15.03.2006, p. 319-328.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Growth morphologies of modern marine stromatolites
T2 - A case study from Highborne Cay, Bahamas
AU - Andres, Miriam S.
AU - Reid, Pamela R
PY - 2006/3/15
Y1 - 2006/3/15
N2 - Stromatolites are a uniquely coupled geo-biosphere system, which potentially records important paleoenvironmental and biological information. Characterizing and distinguishing between the biological and physical factors that control stromatolite morphogenesis, therefore, has important implications for the understanding of modern stromatolites and the interpretation of ancient systems. This paper documents the occurrence and distribution of stromatolites with distinct growth morphologies in the Highborne Cay reef system and other locations in Exuma Cays, Bahamas, and explores the relative contributions of physical and biological environmental factors controlling stromatolite shape. Our observations suggest that macro-scale growth morphologies of Exuma stromatolites are primarily controlled by accommodation space, hydrodynamics, and sedimentation patterns. The latter are critical for the stromatolite ecosystem in that the suspended sediment provides grains for trapping and binding and thus stromatolite accretion. Furthermore, sediment burial removes macroalgae, allowing the prokaryotic community to dominate. Changes in sedimentation patterns and frequency allow for the colonization of stromatolites by macroalgae and boring macrofauna, which, in time, destroy and degrade the stromatolite structure.
AB - Stromatolites are a uniquely coupled geo-biosphere system, which potentially records important paleoenvironmental and biological information. Characterizing and distinguishing between the biological and physical factors that control stromatolite morphogenesis, therefore, has important implications for the understanding of modern stromatolites and the interpretation of ancient systems. This paper documents the occurrence and distribution of stromatolites with distinct growth morphologies in the Highborne Cay reef system and other locations in Exuma Cays, Bahamas, and explores the relative contributions of physical and biological environmental factors controlling stromatolite shape. Our observations suggest that macro-scale growth morphologies of Exuma stromatolites are primarily controlled by accommodation space, hydrodynamics, and sedimentation patterns. The latter are critical for the stromatolite ecosystem in that the suspended sediment provides grains for trapping and binding and thus stromatolite accretion. Furthermore, sediment burial removes macroalgae, allowing the prokaryotic community to dominate. Changes in sedimentation patterns and frequency allow for the colonization of stromatolites by macroalgae and boring macrofauna, which, in time, destroy and degrade the stromatolite structure.
KW - Bahamas
KW - Growth morphologies
KW - Modern marine stromatolites
KW - Stromatolite columns
KW - Stromatolite ridges
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33645095213&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=33645095213&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.sedgeo.2005.12.020
DO - 10.1016/j.sedgeo.2005.12.020
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:33645095213
VL - 185
SP - 319
EP - 328
JO - Sedimentary Geology
JF - Sedimentary Geology
SN - 0037-0738
IS - 3-4 SPEC. ISS.
ER -