TY - JOUR
T1 - Spatial and temporal distribution of microbially induced sedimentary structures
T2 - A case study from siliciclastic storm deposits of the 2.9 Ga Witwatersrand Supergroup, South Africa
AU - Noffke, Nora
AU - Beukes, Nic
AU - Gutzmer, Jens
AU - Hazen, Robert
PY - 2006/4/20
Y1 - 2006/4/20
N2 - Microbially induced sedimentary structures (MISS) arise from the interaction of microbial mats with the physical sedimentary dynamics of shallow-marine settings. The structures occur in siliciclastic deposits of Paleo-Archean age to modern, where they record biostabilization and baffling, trapping and binding of photoautotrophic microbenthos. In the Brixton Formation, Witwatersrand Supergroup, South Africa, erosional remnants and pockets, wrinkle structures, and oscillation cracks include carbon- and pyrite-rich filament-like textures that resemble modern trichomes of cyanobacteria. C-isotope ratios of -22 ± 0.1‰ indicate potential photoautotrophy. The MISS occur at the turning points of regression-transgression, and are restricted to a specific sedimentary facies characterized by 2-20 cm thick fine sandstone beds predominantly composed of quartz. The sandstone beds display ripple marks, which record moderate hydraulic reworking. This spatial and temporal distribution of MISS in the Brixton Formation is consistent with occurrences of those structures in comparable environments throughout Earth history.
AB - Microbially induced sedimentary structures (MISS) arise from the interaction of microbial mats with the physical sedimentary dynamics of shallow-marine settings. The structures occur in siliciclastic deposits of Paleo-Archean age to modern, where they record biostabilization and baffling, trapping and binding of photoautotrophic microbenthos. In the Brixton Formation, Witwatersrand Supergroup, South Africa, erosional remnants and pockets, wrinkle structures, and oscillation cracks include carbon- and pyrite-rich filament-like textures that resemble modern trichomes of cyanobacteria. C-isotope ratios of -22 ± 0.1‰ indicate potential photoautotrophy. The MISS occur at the turning points of regression-transgression, and are restricted to a specific sedimentary facies characterized by 2-20 cm thick fine sandstone beds predominantly composed of quartz. The sandstone beds display ripple marks, which record moderate hydraulic reworking. This spatial and temporal distribution of MISS in the Brixton Formation is consistent with occurrences of those structures in comparable environments throughout Earth history.
KW - Archean
KW - Basin analysis
KW - Microbial mat
KW - Microbially induced sedimentary structures
KW - Siliciclastic
KW - Stratigraphy
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33645159251&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.precamres.2006.01.003
DO - 10.1016/j.precamres.2006.01.003
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:33645159251
SN - 0301-9268
VL - 146
SP - 35
EP - 44
JO - Precambrian Research
JF - Precambrian Research
IS - 1-2
ER -
