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O2 and H2S coexistence in stromatolites

A model for the origin of mineralogical lamination in stromatolites and banded iron formations

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Abstract

The coexistence of O2 and H2S in recent microbial mats is demonstrated. Oxygen and H2S are not only coexisting in considerable concentrations within recent stromatolites but high concentrations of the respective gases occur in alternating laminae. This “sandwich structure” is produced by alternating populations of oxygenic and anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria and cyanobaeteria. The finding of such conditions may explain the alternation of oxidized and reduced iron minerals in Precambrian stromatolites and possibly also in the banded iron formations (BIFs).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fachbereich IV der Universität, D-2900, Oldenburg

    W. E. Krumbein, H. Buchholz, P. Franke, D. Giani, C. Giele & K. Wonneberger

Authors
  1. W. E. Krumbein
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  2. H. Buchholz
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  3. P. Franke
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  4. D. Giani
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  5. C. Giele
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  6. K. Wonneberger
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Additional information

This work was supported financially by DFG grant Kr 333/13. The MBL Elat and especially Dr. Y. Cohen have helped us in field work. I gratefully acknowledge discussions with B.B. Jørgensen and G. Kuenen during our joint sabbatical at Elat. Technical aid by K. Liebig, I. Raether and H.G. Schwenzer as well as patient typing by G. Koch is appreciated.

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Krumbein, W.E., Buchholz, H., Franke, P. et al. O2 and H2S coexistence in stromatolites. Naturwissenschaften 66, 381–389 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00368068

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00368068

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