DOCSLIB.ORG

The Extant Shore Platform Stromatolite (SPS) Facies Association: a Glimpse Into the Archean?

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Extant Shore Platform Stromatolite (SPS) Facies Association: a Glimpse Into the Archean? Biogeosciences, 15, 2189–2203, 2018 https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-2189-2018 © Author(s) 2018. This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. The extant shore platform stromatolite (SPS) facies association: a glimpse into the Archean? Alan Smith1,6, Andrew Cooper1,2, Saumitra Misra1, Vishal Bharuth3, Lisa Guastella4,6, and Riaan Botes5 1Discipline of Geology, School of Agriculture, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville 3630, South Africa 2School of Environmental Science, University of Ulster, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK 3Microscopy and Microanalysis Unit, University of KwaZulu Natal, Westville 3630, South Africa 4Bayworld Centre for Research and Education (BCRE), Cape Town, South Africa 5Geo-Dynamic Systems, P.O. Box 1283, Westville 3630, South Africa 6Coast Busters Inc Research Group, 29 Brown’s Grove, Sherwood, Durban 4091, South Africa Correspondence: Alan Smith ([email protected]) Received: 15 May 2017 – Discussion started: 27 June 2017 Revised: 12 February 2018 – Accepted: 23 February 2018 – Published: 13 April 2018 Abstract. Shore platform stromatolites (SPS) were first the Archean. We suggest that terraces associated with former noted at Cape Morgan on the south-east African seaboard. oceanic or lacustrine flooding surfaces on Mars are potential Since then they have been found growing discontinuously targets in the search for palaeo-SPS on Mars. in rocky peritidal zones along the entire southern African seaboard. They have also been found on the southwest Aus- tralian coast, at Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, and more recently at Harris on the Scottish Hebridean Atlantic 1 Introduction coast. In this paper SPS occurrence and SPS potential as ana- logues for Precambrian fossil stromatolites, as well as po- The oldest known stromatolites include those of the Isua tential stromatolite occurrences in shore platform regions on Group (3.7 Ga), Greenland (Nutman et al., 2016); the Strel- Mars, are assessed. Sub-horizontal surfaces promote stroma- ley Pool occurrence (3.43 Ga), Australia (Allwood et al., tolite development, while tufa develops on cliffs and steep 2006); the Barberton Mountain Land (3.22 Ga), South Africa rocky surfaces. Tufa and stromatolites are end members of (Gamper et al., 2011); and the Pongola Group (2.9 Ga), a spectrum dictated by coastal topography. Extant SPS oc- South Africa (Mason and von Bruun, 1977; Bolhar et al., cur on well indurated shore platforms in high wave energy 2015). Comparison of the environment in which extant settings, often around or near headlands. They can be as- and sub-fossil stromatolites occur with ancient examples sociated with boulder beaches, boulder ridges, storm swash may advance our knowledge concerning the conditions un- terraces, coastal dunes, and peat bogs. In contrast to other der which life developed and in what environment it be- extant stromatolites, SPS are produced primarily by mineral gan. Stromatolite-building organisms probably dominated precipitation, although minor trapping and binding stromato- the Earth during the Archean and Proterozoic eons, but un- lites do occur. From a geological perspective, SPS develop in der contemporary conditions only thrive in extreme environ- mildly transgressive siliciclastic settings in various climatic ments that limit metazoan competition. Such environments and tidal regimes. We suggest that SPS could be preserved include geothermal springs (Jones et al., 2000; Berelson et in the geological record as micritic lenses on palaeo-shore al., 2011), peritidal marine environments (Logan et al., 1964; platform surfaces. SPS share many features with Precam- Reid et al., 2000; Smith and Uken, 2003; Smith et al., 2005, brian stromatolites and are a valid modern analogue despite 2011; Perissinotto et al., 2014; Rishworth et al 2016; Ed- the widely different atmospheric and oceanic conditions of wards et al., 2017), and salt lakes (Martin and Wilczewski, 1972). Prokaryotes are also recorded from the Earth’s upper Published by Copernicus Publications on behalf of the European Geosciences Union. 2190 A. Smith et al.: The extant SPS facies association Figure 1. Location of SPS sites on the eastern seaboard of southern Africa, Northern Ireland and the Scottish Hebrides. crust to depths of (at least) 7 km (Sankaran, 1997) and within al. (2011) proposed the extant Cape Morgan (Fig. 1) stro- the troposphere (DeLeon-Rodriguez et al., 2012). matolites as a partial analogue for the 3.43 Ga stromatolites Stromatolites are biosedimentary structures produced by from Strelley Pool Australia. Smith et al. (2011) furthermore sediment trapping and binding and/or mineral precipitation documented extant and subfossil SPS from Cape Morgan and as a result of the growth and metabolic activity of a micro- indicated that they were found in patches from Tofo (Mozam- bial community (Awramik and Marguilis, 1976; Burne and bique) to Port Elizabeth (Eastern Cape, South Africa)(Fig. 1). Moore, 1987). The best known extant stromatolite models Since then colonies have been found in Northern Ireland are based on the trapped and bound stromatolites of Shark (Cooper et al., 2013), additional localities in the Eastern Cape Bay, Western Australia and several sites in the Caribbean province have been documented, (Perissinotto et al, 2014; (Logan et al., 1964; Reid and Browne, 1991). Precambrian Rishworth et al., 2016; Edwards et al., 2017),and further stromatolites, in contrast, are of the mineral precipitation va- colonies elsewhere in southern Africa have been uncovered riety (Awramik and Grey, 2005; Reid et al., 2011; Smith et (Fig. 1). More recently, new SPS discoveries have also been al., 2011; Perissinotto et al., 2014; Rishworth et al., 2016; made on the west coast of Harris, in the Scottish Hebrides. Edwards et al., 2017) and offer a plausible Precambrian stro- matolite analog, which deserves scrutiny. Cape Morgan (Fig. 1) in the Eastern Cape province, South 2 Methodology Africa, was the first location where SPS were found. SPS form on shore platforms within the peritidal zone where suit- This work is heavily reliant on fieldwork which has taken able (carbonate-rich) terrestrial runoff is present (Smith et advantage of many serendipitous trips. No attempt has been al., 2011; Perissinotto et al., 2014; Rishworth et al., 2016). made to institute a scientific survey due to the geographi- These supratidal/ high intertidal zones experience extreme cal distances involved and limited manpower. Stromatolite environmental changes, which partially exclude metazoans (SPS in this paper) morphology, microstructure, and ecol- (Perissinotto et al., 2014; Rishworth et al., 2016) and enable ogy is discussed in detail elsewhere (Smith et al., 2011; prokaryotes to dominate. The Cape Morgan locality was dis- Perissinotto et al., 2014; Rishworth et al., 2016, 2017; Ed- covered by Mountain (1937), although its significance was wards et al., 2017). New localities are discussed and com- only realised much later (Smith and Uken, 2003). Smith et pared with known; such review is required to establish sim- ilarities and differences. This paper will consequently focus Biogeosciences, 15, 2189–2203, 2018 www.biogeosciences.net/15/2189/2018/ A. Smith et al.: The extant SPS facies association 2191 Table 1. Location, context and stromatolite type of SPS localities (Y: yes; N: no; n/r: no record). Location Coordinates Shore Cliff Trapped Mineral Tufa platform and bound precipitation Cape Point, SA 34◦20048.4200 S; YYY 18◦27048.1600 E 1 Storms River 34◦1003400 S; Y n/r N Y n/r 24◦39046’0E 1 Oyster Bay 34◦11025.0700 S; Y N Y n/r 24◦41043.76’0E 1 Cape St Francis 34◦1204900 S; Y N N Y n/r 24◦50004’0E 1 Seaview 34◦_01003.1600 S; Y N N Y n/r 25◦_21056.48’0E 1 Skoenmakerskop 34◦_02028.2300 S; Y N Y Y n/r 25◦_32018.60’0E 1 Cape Recife 34◦_02042.1300 S; Y N N Y n/r 25◦_34007.50’0E 2Cape Morgan 32◦4103600 S; Y Minor Y Y Y 28◦2202700 E Luphatana 31◦2501000 S; YNNYN 29◦5103000 E Mtentu 31◦1403000 S; YNNYN 31◦0302200 E Port Edward 31◦02055.2600 S; YNNYN 30◦13 ’47.7900 E Ballito 29◦3201500 S; Y Minor N Y N 31◦13020’0 E Tinley Manor 29◦26043.9800 S; Y Minor N Y Minor 31◦17026.9900 E Richards Bay 28◦46015.2000 S XYNYY 32◦08000.3200 E Tofo, Mozambique 23◦4102600 S; YYNYN 35◦3300400 E 3 Giant’s Causeway, N. Ireland, UK See reference Y Y N Y N St John’s Point, N. Ireland, UK 54◦13031.2300 N; YYNYN 5◦39032.6900 W Luskentyre Bay (S), Harris, UK 57◦52008.7300 N YYNYY 6◦57’42.0100 W Luskentyre Bay (N), Harris, UK 57◦52017.6500 N YNYYN 6◦54028.5200 W Northton, Harris, UK 57◦48009.5600 N NYNYY 7◦04057.5200 W 4 Kuwait Bay, Kuwait See reference Y N N Y N 5 N. Sea, Netherlands See reference N N n/r NA N 6 SW Australia See reference Y Y N Y Y Monkey Mia, W. Australia Not known Y N N Y N NA D this data is not available 1 Perissinotto et al. (2014), 2 Smith and Uken (2003), 3 Cooper et al. (2013), 4 Alshuaibi et al. (2015), 5 Kremer et al. (2008), 6 Forbes et al. (2010). www.biogeosciences.net/15/2189/2018/ Biogeosciences, 15, 2189–2203, 2018 2192 A. Smith et al.: The extant SPS facies association Figure 2. (a) Shore platform showing a low tufa curtain (T), bar- Figure 3. (a) Trapped and bound stromatolites forming on a stro- rage (B), and pool (BP). (b) Higher tufa curtain (T) forming on a matolite apron, located on the Luskentyre Bay shore platform, Har- cliff at the back of the dolerite shore platform with stromatolites (S) ris, UK. The stromatolite is growing around cobbles swept onto at its toe (a and b from Cape Morgan), and (c) Tufa curtain from the apron by inflowing water.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • TRAVERTINE-MARL DEPOSITS of the VALLEY and RIDGE PROVINCE of VIRGINIA - a PRELIMINARY REPORT David A
    - Vol. 31 February 1985 No. 1 TRAVERTINE-MARL DEPOSITS OF THE VALLEY AND RIDGE PROVINCE OF VIRGINIA - A PRELIMINARY REPORT David A. Hubbard, Jr.1, William F. Gianninil and Michelle M. Lorah2 The travertine and marl deposits of Virginia's Valley and Ridge province are the result of precipitation of calcium carbonate from fresh water streams and springs. Travertine is white to light yellowish brown and has a massive or concretionary structure. Buildups of this material tend to form cascades or waterfalls along streams (Figure 1). Marl refers to white to dark yellowish brown, loose, earthy deposits of calcium carbonate (Figure 2). Deposits of these carbonate materials are related and have formed during the Quaternary period. This preliminary report is a compilation of some litei-ature and observations of these materials. A depositional model is proposed. These deposits have long been visited by man. Projectile points, pottery fragments, and firepits record the visitation of American Indians to Frederick and Augusta county sites. Thomas Jefferson (1825) wrote an account of the Falling Spring Falls from a visit prior to 1781. Aesthetic and economic considerations eontinue to attract interest in these deposits. 'Virginia Division of Mineral Resources, Charlot- Figure 1. Travertine waterfall and cascade series tesville, VA on Falling Springs Creek, Alleghany County, 2Department of Environmental Sciences, Univer- Virginia. Note man standing in center of left sity of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA margin. 2 VIRGINIA DIVISION OF MINERAL RESOURCES Vol. 31 Figure 2. An extensive marl deposit located in Figure 3. Rimstone dam form resulting from Frederick County, Virginia. Stream, in fore- precipitation of calcium carbonate in Mill Creek, ground, has incised and drained the deposit.
    [Show full text]
  • Stromatolites of the Belt Series in Glacier National Park and Vicinity, Montana
    Stromatolites of the Belt Series in Glacier National Park and Vicinity, Montana By RICHARD REZAK SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 294-D Descriptions of eight zones of Precambrian stromatolites, including two new forms, based on a revised method of classification UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON : 1957 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FRED A. SEATON, Secretary GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Thomas B. Nolan, Director For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office Washington 25, D. C. CONTENTS Page Abstract 127 S tratigraphy—Continued Introduction 127 Stromatolite zones—Continued Previous investigations 127 Ravalli group—Continued Page Present investigation 127 Grinnell argillite 136 Area of investigation 128 Collenia undosa zone 1 136 Acknowledgments 129 Piegan group 137 Classification of stromatolites 129 Siyeh limestone 137 General 129 Collenia symmetrica zone 1 137 Previous classifications 130 Conophyton zone 1 138 Pres* ent classification 131 Collenia multiflabella zone 138 Generic distinction 131 Missoula group 139 Specific characteristics 131 Collenia undosa zone 2 139 Gross form of colony 131 zone 2 139 Nature of the laminae 132 Collenia symmetrica Size of colony 132 Conophyton zone 2 140 Types 132 Ecology 141 Key to the identification of stromatolites in the Belt Modern environments 141 series 132 Origin of stromatolites 146 Descriptions of genera and species 132 Paleoecology 147 Genus Cryptozoon Hall 132 Collenia frequens zone 147 Genus Collenia Walcott 133 Newlandia lamellosa 147 Genus Newlandia Walcott 134 Collenia undosa zones 147 Genus Conophyton Maslov 135 Collenia symmetrica zones 148 Stratigraphy 135 zones 148 General 135 Conophyton Stromatolite zones 136 Collenia multiflabella zone 148 Ravalli group 136 Conclusions 149 Altyn limestone 136 Selected bibliography 149 Collenia frequens zone 136 Index 153 ILLUSTRATIONS [Plates 19-24 follow page 154] Page PLATE 18.
    [Show full text]
  • The Science of Tufa What Is Travertine Travertine Point
    A8 Saturday, January 10, 2015 Imperial Valley Press Land of Extremes QUESTIONS? Contact Local Content Editor Richard Montenegro Brown at [email protected] or 760-337-3453. DEPOSITS ARE STILL VISIBLE TODAY Blake’s Sea or Lake Cahuilla? BY NEAL V. HITCH | Special to this Newspaper/Imperial Valley n 1858, Dr. William Blake recoded the shoreline of an ancient lake in the Imperial Valley while completing a rail- road survey. He noted a discoloration of the rock along the western shore at around 40 feet above sea level. He named it Lake Cahuilla, though early writers also called it Blake’s Sea. IAccording to a 1995 article shells. Calcium carbonate is written by Pat Laflin, Con- difficult to dissolve in water. gress authorized a series of In warm water, it reacts with surveys in 1843 to discover a the environment becoming practical railroad route to the increasingly insoluble until it Pacific. precipitates out of the solu- A topographic engineer, tion. named Lt. K.S. Williamson, Under different tempera- led the southern expedition, ture conditions, it naturally and Professor William R. takes the crystalline form of Blake of New York served as calcite or aragonite. geologist. Basically, tiny solid parti- Professor Blake was the cles fall out of the water solu- first to explain the origin of tion and collect on rocks. the Salton Sink. Aragonite is precipitated As the survey party moved when temperatures are hot, from the San Gorgonio Pass and calcite precipitates when to the Coachella Valley, Blake temperatures are cooler. noticed the mark of the an- Scientists are studying the cient sea along the base of impact of small micro bac- the Santa Rosa Mountains.
    [Show full text]
  • Travertine Versus Calcareous Tufa: Distinctive Petrologic Features and Stable Isotopes Signatures
    Il Quaternario Italian Journal of Quaternary Sciences 21(1B), 2008 - 125-136 TRAVERTINE VERSUS CALCAREOUS TUFA: DISTINCTIVE PETROLOGIC FEATURES AND STABLE ISOTOPES SIGNATURES Anna Gandin & Enrico Capezzuoli Dip. Scienze della Terra, Università di Siena, Via Laterina 8, 53100 Siena e.mail: [email protected] Abstract: A. Gandin & E. Capezzuoli, Travertine versus Calcareous tufa: distinctive petrologic features and stable isotopes signatures. (IT ISSN 0394-3356, 2007). Terrestrial limestones, mainly deposited as calcite crusts by carbonate-rich waters flowing in subaerial settings, originate from warm- to-hot waters of hydrothermal provenance (travertines) or from cool waters of karstic derivation (calcareous tufa). The two groups of concretionary carbonates are actively forming in different geomorphologic settings such as cool-water springs and fluvial valleys, or in the surroundings of the emergence of thermal springs. Fossil remains of these rocks are frequently found in calcareous areas as well as in areas where carbonate rocks are not exposed. However the recognition on the field of their genetic derivation when connections with the feeding source are no more evident, is often uncertain since the definition of the specific litofacies are not yet completely elu- cidated. The detailed analysis of the lithofacies of calcareous tufa and travertines as well as the critical elaboration of existing geochemical data, shows that the petrologic features and stable isotopic signatures reflect the contrasting environmental conditions of deposition deriving from physico-chemical properties of the feeding waters that, although mostly of meteoric provenance, experienced different circulation/recharge history. Travertines are well bedded, often finely laminated compact limestones, composed in the proximal part of the thermal system by peculiar crystalline crusts and in the distal part by bacterial/cyanobacterial laminites often associated with thin crystalline crusts, len- ses of calcified-bubbles and paper-thin rafts.
    [Show full text]
  • Travertine-Tufa Deposits
    Travertine-Tufa Deposits Eric M. Parks ABSTRACT Travertine and tufa, despite their identical chemical composition and similar characteristics, are different in their lithofacies and depositional environments. A review of the chemistry behind travertine-tufa deposition is given. Travertine and tufa originate in different depositional environments. Warm water systems such as karstic hydrothermal springs and fissure ridges yield travertine while cool fresh water systems such as calcite-rich perched spring lines, cascades, fluvial, and lacustrine environments produce tufa. INTRODUCTION Travertine and tufa deposits are composed of calcium carbonate precipitations both from organic and inorganic processes. Generally they are found at karstic or hydrothermal springs, small rivers, and swamps. The term travertine originates from the city of Tivertino, Italy where an extensive travertine deposit is found. However, these deposits have been referred to by many different names including tufa, calc tufa, calcareous tufa, plant-tufa, petrified moss, spring-sinter, calcic sinter, and Chironomid tufa. Many geologists simply refer to all carbonate incrustation on plant remains as travertine in an effort to avoid confusion (Julia, 1983). There are, however, some differences in the basic characteristics of travertine and tufa, these being that tufa has a higher porosity, woody texture, and is generally a cool fresh water deposit. Conversely, travertine is commonly deposited in warm water, and is more lithified. Atabey (2002) stated that travertine is composed of diagenetic old calcerous tufa deposits with significant amounts of calcite spar added to its framework. PRECIPITATION PROCESSES Ford et al. (1996) states that calcium carbonate is absorbed by percolating waters which pass through soil horizons above limestone.
    [Show full text]
  • Springs with Active Calcium Carbonate Precipitation in the Polish Part of the Tatra Mountains
    Springs with active calcium carbonate precipitation in the Polish part of the Tatra Mountains Agata Smieja 1, Beata Smieja-Król 2 1W. Szafer Institute of Botany, Polish Academy of Sciences, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia, e-mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT During the field work carried out in the years 2002-2006 over the floral composition in 340 water-springs in the Tatra National Park (TNP) eight springs with calcium carbonate precipitation were detected. Eight springs drain water away from carbonate rocks in three areas generally: Kopieniec slope of Olczyska Valley, lower parts of Lejowa Valley and in Ko ścieliska Valley. Two types of spring CaCO 3 accumulation were identified relatively to intensity of the process and stability of the precipitation products. The calcifying 2+ – springs represent the highest Ca , and HCO 3 ions concentrations among all investigated springs. In comparison with typical tufa depositing springs, the values appear to be rather low. KEY WORDS : carbonate precipitation, spring, the Polish Tatra Montains, tufa Introduction Calcareous tufas are, apart from cave accumulated as a fan at the foot of a rock wall. speleothems, the main sediments resulting In this site the precipitation ceased probably from decalcification of karstic water. Porous soon after the 13 – 14 century AD climatic tufa deposits form at or near the groundwater optimum (Alexandowicz, 1988). Another type outflow via the overall reaction: of freshwater calcium carbonate accumulations found in the Tatra Mts comprise slope breccias Ca 2+ + 2HCO - → CaCO ↓ + H O + CO ↑ 3 3 2 2 formed in Holocene or in the warm phases of Intensity of carbonate precipitation and Pleistocene.
    [Show full text]
  • P/Ca in Carbonates As a Proxy for Alkalinity and Phosphate Levels
    RESEARCH LETTER P/Ca in Carbonates as a Proxy for Alkalinity 10.1029/2020GL088804 and Phosphate Levels Key Points: Miquela Ingalls1,2 , Clara L. Blättler3 , John A. Higgins4, John S. Magyar1 , • Calcium‐to‐alkalinity ratios 1 1 (Ca:ALK) in water determine rates John M. Eiler , and Woodward W. Fischer and mechanisms of carbonate salt 1 2 formation, with shoreline tufa facies Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA, Now at as a useful indicator of low Ca:ALK Department of Geosciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA, 3Department of the aqueous chemistry in the rock Geophysical Sciences, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA, 4Department of Geosciences, Princeton University, record Princeton, NJ, USA • Calcium isotope proxy for Ca:ALK in these materials is complicated by rate and mineralogical impacts on carbonate‐water fractionation Abstract Understanding mechanisms, rates, and drivers of past carbonate formation provides insight • Carbonate P/Ca provides another into the chemical evolution of Earth's oceans and atmosphere. We paired geological observations with means to assess Ca:ALK via the elemental and isotope geochemistry to test potential proxies for calcium‐to‐alkalinity ratios (Ca:ALK). phosphate content of ancient aqueous environments Across diverse carbonate facies from Pleistocene closed‐basin lakes in Owens Valley, CA, we observed less δ44/40Ca variation than theoretically predicted (>0.75‰) for the very low Ca:ALK in these systems. Supporting Information: Carbonate clumped isotope disequilibria implied rapid carbonate growth—kinetic isotope effects, combined • Supporting Information S1 with the diverse carbonate minerals present, complicated the interpretation of δ44/40Ca as a paleoalkalinity • Table S1 • Table S2 proxy.
    [Show full text]
  • A Multi-Tracer Geochemical Approach in Laguna Pastos Grandes (Bolivia) 3 E
    1 The Origin of Continental Carbonates in Andean Salars: 2 A Multi-Tracer Geochemical Approach in Laguna Pastos Grandes (Bolivia) 3 E. Muller1, E. C. Gaucher2, C. Durlet3, J.S. Moquet1, M. Moreira1, V. Rouchon4, P. 4 Louvat1, G. Bardoux1, S. Noirez4, C. Bougeault3, E. Vennin3, E. Gérard1, M. Chavez5, A. 5 Virgone2, M. Ader1 6 1Université de Paris, Institut de physique du globe de Paris, CNRS, F-75005 Paris, France 7 2Total CSTJF, Avenue Larribau, 64018 Pau Cedex, France 8 3Biogéosciences, UMR 6282 CNRS, 6 boulevard Gabriel, Université Bourgogne 9 Franche-Comté, 21000 Dijon, France 10 4IFP Energies Nouvelles, 1-4 Avenue de Bois Préau, 92852, Rueil-Malmaison Cedex, 11 France 12 5Total E&P, 40 Calle Las Violetas, Edificio Arcus, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia 13 Corresponding author: Elodie Muller ([email protected]) 14 15 This article has been accepted in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. 16 Abstract 17 In continental volcanic settings, abundant carbonate precipitation can occur with 18 atypical facies compared to marine settings. The (bio-)chemical processes responsible for 19 their development and early diagenesis are typically complex and not fully understood. In 20 the Bolivian Altiplano, Laguna Pastos Grandes hosts a 40-km2 carbonate platform with a 21 great diversity of facies and provides an ideal natural laboratory to understand the processes 22 responsible for the precipitation of carbonates in a continental province dominated by 23 volcanism. In order to trace the origin of both water and solutes in the lagoon, the major 24 element and stable isotope compositions (δ2H-δ18O, δ37Cl, δ7Li, δ11B and 87Sr/86Sr) of the 25 spring and stream waters were characterized, as well as the stable isotope compositions 26 (δ13C, δ15N) and noble gas isotope ratios of hydrothermal gases associated with spring 27 waters.
    [Show full text]
  • Review of Tufa Deposition and Palaeohydrological Conditions in the White Peak, Derbyshire, UK: Implications for Quaternary Landscape Evolution
    CORE Metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk Provided by NERC Open Research Archive Review of tufa deposition and palaeohydrological conditions in the White Peak, Derbyshire, UK: implications for Quaternary landscape evolution. Vanessa J. Banks1,2*, Peter F. Jones2, David J. Lowe1, Jonathan R. Lee1, Jeremy Rushton1, and Michael A. Ellis1. 1 British Geological Survey, Kingsley Dunham Centre, Nicker Hill, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG 2 University of Derby, Geographical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Kedleston Road, Derby, DE22 1GB * Corresponding author. E‐mail address: [email protected] Abstract. This review considers the geological and geomorphological context of tufa barrages that occupy buried valley settings in the Wye catchment, Derbyshire. It describes the potential relationship of the tufa with locations of hypothesised river captures and inception horizon‐guided groundwater flow paths. Tufa barrage development is associated with steps in the bedrock, which may be related to knick‐point recession during river capture. Broad estimates of valley incision have been calculated from previously dated deposits. These support current interpretations of particularly significant effective base‐level lowering during the Anglian and Devensian stages of the Quaternary and have the potential to add to the knowledge of regional uplift histories. Key words: tufa, Quaternary hydrogeology, inception horizons, incision, landscape evolution. 1. Introduction. Tufa is a terrestrial freshwater accumulation of calcium carbonate (Viles, 2004) that is commonly found in limestone terrain. Also referred to as travertine by some authors (Pentecost, 1999), it is precipitated when water that is saturated with calcium carbonate becomes supersaturated due to degassing of carbon dioxide. This can be caused by: atmospheric absorption of carbon dioxide, increase in temperature, decrease in pressure, physical agitation, aquatic plant photosynthesis (Lorah and Herman, 1988), or microbial processes (Pedley and Rogerson, 2010).
    [Show full text]
  • The Potential of Tufa As a Tool for Paleoenvironmental Research—A Study of Tufa from the Zrmanja River Canyon, Croatia
    geosciences Article The Potential of Tufa as a Tool for Paleoenvironmental Research—A Study of Tufa from the Zrmanja River Canyon, Croatia Jadranka Bareši´c 1,* , Sanja Faivre 2 , Andreja Sironi´c 1 , Damir Borkovi´c 1, Ivanka Lovrenˇci´cMikeli´c 1, Russel N. Drysdale 3 and Ines Krajcar Broni´c 1 1 Ruder¯ Boškovi´cInstitute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; [email protected] (A.S.); [email protected] (D.B.); [email protected] (I.L.M.); [email protected] (I.K.B.) 2 Department of Geography, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; [email protected] 3 School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Abstract: Tufa is a fresh-water surface calcium carbonate deposit precipitated at or near ambient temperature, and commonly contains the remains of macro- and microphytes. Many Holocene tufas are found along the Zrmanja River, Dalmatian karst, Croatia. In this work we present radiocarbon dating results of older tufa that was found for the first time at the Zrmanja River near the Village of Sanaderi. Tufa outcrops were observed at different levels, between the river bed and up to 26 m Citation: Bareši´c,J.; Faivre, S.; above its present level. Radiocarbon dating of the carbonate fraction revealed ages from modern, at Sironi´c,A.; Borkovi´c,D.; Lovrenˇci´c the river bed, up to 40 kBP ~20 m above its present level. These ages fit well with the hypothesis Mikeli´c,I.; Drysdale, R.N.; Krajcar that the Zrmanja River had a previous surface connection with the Krka River, and changed its flow Broni´c,I.
    [Show full text]
  • Microbialites, Stromatolites, and Thrombolites 635
    MICROBIALITES, STROMATOLITES, AND THROMBOLITES 635 Simkiss, K., and Wilbur, K., 1989. Biomineralization. Cell Biology Mineralogy and Geochemistry. Washington: Mineralogical and Mineral Deposition. San Diego: Academic. Society of America, Vol. 54, pp. 1–31. Stal, L. J., 2000. Microbial mats and stromatolites. In Whitton, Wright, V. P., Platt, N. H., and Wimbledon, W. A., 1988. Biogenic B. A., and Potts, M. (eds.), The Ecology of Cyanobacteria. Their laminar calcrete: evidence of calcified root-mat horizons in Diversitty in Time and Space. Dordrecht: Kluwer. paleosols. Sedimentology, 35, 603–620. Stal, L. J., 2003. Microphytobenthos, their extracellular polymeric Yechieli, Y., and Wood, W. W., 2002. Hydrogeologic processes in substances, and the morphogenesis of intertidal sediments. saline systems: playas, sabkhas, and saline lakes. Earth-Science Geomicrobioly Journal, 20, 463–478. Reviews, 58, 343–365. Stolz, J. F., 2000. Structure of microbial mats and biofilms. In Zabielski, V. P., 1991. The depositional history of Storr’s Lake San Riding, R. E., Awramik, S. M. (eds.), Microbial Sediments. Salvador, Bahamas. Unpublished PhD thesis, University of New York: Springer, pp. 1–9. North Carolina. Stumm, W., and Morgan, J. J., 1996. Aquatic Chemistry. New York: Zeebe, R. E., and Wolf-Gladrow, D. (eds.), 2001. CO2 in Seawater: Wiley, 1022 pp. Equilibrium, Kinetics and Isotopes.Amsterdam:Elsevier,346pp. Thode-Andersen, S., and Jorgensen, B. B., 1989. Sulfate reduction 35 and the formation of S-labeled FeS, FeS2, and S(0) (elemental sulfur) in coastal marine sediments. Limnology and Oceanogra- Cross-references phy, 34, 793–806. Biofilms Thompson, J. B., and Ferris, F. G., 1990. Cyanobacterial precipita- Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) tion of gypsum, calcite, and magnesite from natural alkaline lake Microbial Biomineralization water.
    [Show full text]
  • Tourism: a Case Study in the UNESCO Global Geopark Swabian Alb, Germany
    geosciences Article Calcerous Tufa as Invaluable Geotopes Endangered by (Over-)Tourism: A Case Study in the UNESCO Global Geopark Swabian Alb, Germany Heidi Elisabeth Megerle University of Applied Forest Sciences Rottenburg, Schadenweilerhof, D-72108 Rottenburg am Neckar, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany; [email protected]; Tel.: +49-7472-951-243 Abstract: Calcerous tufa and sinter are among the most impressive natural spectacles in karst landscapes whose scientific and aesthetic value is universally recognized. Being visually often very appealing they attract numerous visitors. At the same time tufa landforms are extremely vulnerable and can be seriously damaged even by minor interference. The challenge is, therefore, to protect the calcerous tufa heritage, to communicate its values, and to enhance it with the help of adequate geotourism offers. Tufa geotopes are an essential part of the geological heritage of the UNESCO Global Geopark Swabian Alb in Southwest Germany. Unfortunately tufa landforms, especially tufa cascades, suffer serious impairments by (over-)tourism, particularly during the Corona pandemic. The article explores where best to strike the balance between valorization and protection, as well as how to ensure that growth in tourism is compatible with nature preservation, especially in the case of the extremely vulnerable tufa geotopes. Citation: Megerle, H.E. Calcerous Tufa as Invaluable Geotopes Keywords: calcerous tufa; geotourism; geoheritage; geotope protection; UNESCO Global Geopark Endangered by (Over-)Tourism: A Swabian Alb; (over-)tourism; corona-pandemic Case Study in the UNESCO Global Geopark Swabian Alb, Germany. Geosciences 2021, 11, 198. https:// doi.org/10.3390/geosciences11050198 1. Introduction Geotourism, long considered a form of niche tourism [1], has recently become a Academic Editors: popular form of themed tourism [2–8].
    [Show full text]