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Soil stabilization by a prokaryotic desert crust - Implications for Precambrian land biotaThe ecology of the cyanophyte-dominated stromatolitic mat forming the ground cover over desert areas of Utah and Colorado is investigated and implications for the formation of mature Precambrian soils are discussed. The activation of the growth of the two species of filamentous cyanophyte identified and the mobility of their multiple trichromes upon wetting are observed, accompanied by the production and deposition of a sheath capable of accreting and stabilizing sand and clay particles. The formation of calcium carbonate precipitates upon the repeated wetting and drying of desert crust is noted, and it is suggested that the desert crust community may appear in fossil calcrete deposits as lithified microscopic tubes and cellular remains of algal trichromes. The invasion of dry land by both marine and freshwater algae on the model of the desert crust is proposed to be responsible for the accumulation, stabilization and biogenic modification of mature Precambrian soils.
Document ID
19800028060
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Campbell, S. E.
(Boston University Boston, Mass., United States)
Date Acquired
August 10, 2013
Publication Date
September 1, 1979
Publication Information
Publication: Origins of Life
Volume: 9
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Accession Number
80A12230
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF EAR-76-84233
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF EAR-76-84233-A01
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-7588
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF GA-43391
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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