Ecological and geological importance Microbial mat

wrinkled kinneyia-type sedimentary structures formed beneath cohesive microbial mats in peritidal zones. image shows location, in burgsvik beds of sweden, texture first identified evidence of microbial mat.



kinneyia-like structure in grimsby formation (silurian) exposed in niagara gorge, new york.

microbial mats use of types of metabolism , feeding strategy have evolved on earth—anoxygenic , oxygenic photosynthesis; anaerobic , aerobic chemotrophy (using chemicals rather sunshine source of energy); organic , inorganic respiration , fermentation (i..e converting food energy , without using oxygen in process); autotrophy (producing food inorganic compounds) , heterotrophy (producing food organic compounds, combination of predation , detritivory).

most sedimentary rocks , ore deposits have grown reef-like build-up rather falling out of water, , build-up has been @ least influenced , perhaps caused actions of microbes. stromatolites, bioherms (domes or columns similar internally stromatolites) , biostromes (distinct sheets of sediment) among such microbe-influenced build-ups. other types of microbial mat have created wrinkled elephant skin textures in marine sediments, although many years before these textures recognized trace fossils of mats. microbial mats have increased concentration of metal in many ore deposits, , without not feasible mine them—examples include iron (both sulfide , oxide ores), uranium, copper, silver , gold deposits.