Impact of lake‐level changes on the formation of thermogene travertine in continental rifts: Evidence from Lake Bogoria,Kenya Rift Valley

Travertine is present at 20% of the ca 60 hot springs that discharge on Loburu delta plain on the western margin of saline, alkaline Lake Bogoria in the Kenya Rift. Much of the travertine, which forms mounds, low terraces and pool‐rim dams, is sub‐fossil (relict) and undergoing erosion, but calcite‐encrusted artefacts show that carbonate is actively precipitating at several springs. Most of the springs discharge alkaline (pH: 8·3 to 8·9), Na‐HCO₃ waters containing little Ca (<2 mg l^?1) at temperatures of 94 to 97·5°C. These travertines are unusual because most probably precipitated at temperatures of >80°C. The travertines are composed mainly of dendritic and platy calcite, with minor Mg‐silicates, aragonite, fluorite and opaline silica. Calcite precipitation is attributed mainly to rapid CO₂ degassing, which led to high‐disequilibrium crystal morphologies. Stratigraphic evidence shows that the travertine formed during several stages separated by intervals of non‐deposition. Radiometric ages imply that the main phase of travertine formation occurred during the late Pleistocene (ca 32 to 35 ka). Periods of precipitation were influenced strongly by fluctuations in lake level, mostly under climate control, and by related changes in the depth of boiling. During relatively arid phases, meteoric recharge of ground water declines, the lake is low and becomes hypersaline, and the reduced hydrostatic pressure lowers the level of boiling in the plumbing system of the hot springs. Any carbonate precipitation then occurs below the land surface. During humid phases, the dilute meteoric recharge increases, enhancing geothermal circulation, but the rising lake waters, which become relatively dilute, flood most spring vents. Much of the aqueous Ca²⁺ then precipitates as lacustrine stromatolites on shallow firm substrates, including submerged older travertines. Optimal conditions for subaerial travertine precipitation at Loburu occur when the lake is at intermediate levels, and may be favoured during transitions from humid to drier conditions.     

钙华生物沉积作用研究进展与展望

弄清钙华生物沉积作用有助于更好地理解钙华微岩相结构和地球化学特征的气候环境指示意义。总结和综述了与钙华沉积相关的生物群落、生物成因钙华微岩相结构、钙华生物沉积作用过程及其对钙华地球化学特征影响的研究进展,并展望了未来的研究重点。细菌、藻类和苔藓等广泛参与到钙华沉积中,形成了许多不同类型的孔隙结构、晶体结构和纹层结构。生物沉积过程主要包括:①生物生长扰动水流使得CO2逸出;②代谢作用(如光合作用)过程诱导碳酸钙沉积;③"表面控制"过程影响晶体成核及生长。生物沉积作用驱动了元素的迁移转化,对沉积水体和钙华地球化学特征具有重要影响。钙华在地球生物学研究中具有重要潜力,未来需要加强现代钙华沉积中的物理化学和生物过程相互作用机制及其各自贡献的量化研究,以便准确地解译钙华沉积记录。     

Depositional system and palaeoclimatic interpretations of Middle to Late Pleistocene travertines: Kocabaş, Denizli,south‐west Turkey

Travertine deposits in western Turkey are very well‐exposed in the area of Kocaba?, in the eastern part of the Denizli Basin. The palaeoclimatic significance of these travertines is discussed using U/Th dates, stable isotope data and palynological evidence. The Kocaba? travertine occurrences are characterized by successions of depositional terraces associated with palaeosols and karstic features. The travertines have been classified into eight lithotypes and one erosional horizon, namely: laminated, coated bubble, reed, paper‐thin raft, intraclasts, micritic travertine with gastropods, extra‐formational pebbles and a palaeosol layer. The analysed travertines mostly formed between 181 ka and 80 ka (Middle to Late Pleistocene) during a series of climatic changes including glacial and interglacial intervals; their δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O values indicate that the depositional waters were mainly of basinal thermal origin, occasionally mixed with surficial meteoric water. Palynological results obtained from the palaeosols showed an abundance of non‐arboreal percentage and xerophytic plants (Oleaceae and Quercus evergreen type) indicating that a drought occurred. Marine Isotope Stage 6 is represented by grassland species but Marine Isotope Stage 5 is represented by Pinaceae–Pinus and Abies, Quercus and Oleaceae. Uranium/thorium analyses of the Kocaba? travertines show that deposition began in Marine Isotope Stage 6 (glacial) and continued to Marine Isotope Stage 4 (glacial), but mostly occurred in Marine Isotope Stage 5 (interglacial). The travertine deposition continued to ca 80 ka in the south‐west of the study area, in one particular depression depositional system. Palaeoenvironmental indicators suggest that the travertine depositional evolution was probably controlled by fault‐related movements that influenced groundwater flow. Good correlation of the stable isotope values and dates of deposition of the travertines and palynological data of palaeosols in the Kocaba? travertines serve as a starting point for further palaeoclimate studies in south‐west Turkey. Additionally, the study can be compared with other regional palaeoclimate archives.     

Cool water geyser travertine: Crystal Geyser,Utah, USA

A sloping travertine mound, approximately 85 m across and a few metres thick is actively forming from cool temperature waters issuing out of Crystal Geyser, east‐central Utah, USA. Older travertine deposits exist at the site, the waters having used the Little Grand Wash Fault system as conduits. In contrast, the present Crystal Geyser travertine mound forms from 18°C waters which have been erupting for the last 80 years from an abandoned oil well. The present Crystal Geyser travertine accumulation forms from a ‘man‐made’ cool temperature geyser system; nevertheless, the constituents are an analogue for ancient geyser‐fed carbonate deposits. The travertine primary fabric is composed of couplets of highly porous, thin micritic laminae intercalated with thicker iron oxide rich laminae. Low Mg‐calcite is the dominant mineralogy; however, aragonite is a major constituent in deposits proximal to the vent and decreases in abundance distally. Cements exhibit a variety of fabrics, isopachous being common. Constituents include micro‐stromatolites, clasts, pisoids and the common occurrence of Frutexites‐like iron oxide precipitates. Leptothrix, a common iron‐oxidizing bacterium, is believed to be responsible for the production of the dense iron‐rich laminae. Pisoids litter the ground around the vent and rapidly decrease distally in abundance and size.     

Biological Processes Responsible for Travertine Deposition: A Review and Future Prospect

The investigation of biological processes responsible for travertine deposition allows us to better understand the travertine petrographic and geochemical signatures as proxies of climatic and environmental change. This paper reviewed the organisms associated with travertines, the biotic micro-fabrics formed within travertines, the biological processes associated with travertine precipitation and their controls on travertine geochemical properties. Prospects of the future research on biological processes responsible for travertine precipitation were provided. Bacteria, algae and mosses are the most important organisms that involve in the precipitation of travertines. The growth of these organisms leads to the formation of a range of various porosity, crystal fabrics and lamination within travertines. Three main biological processes responsible for travertine deposition can be classified, including \mathrm{①} a process of aquatic plant growth generating a turbulent condition and consequent CO₂ evasion, \mathrm{②} a metabolic (mainly photosynthetic) process mediating carbonate precipitation and \mathrm{③} a ‘surface-control’ process influencing nucleation and crystal growth. These processes play an important role in the migration and transformation of elements in travertine-depositing system and thus determine the properties of water chemistry and geochemistry of carbonate deposits. Travertine deposits have great potential to be valuable records for the geobiological study. Further investigation is required to simultaneously track biotic and abiotic interactions in modern travertine-depositing environments and quantify the contribution of these two processes and apply the results to accurately interpret travertine records.     

基于微岩相分析的藻类在钙华沉积中的作用研究——以四川黄龙为例

在地表环境下,钙华沉积常常是物理化学和生物沉积过程共同作用的结果.藻类因其在钙华沉积环境中具有较大的生物量及其自身拥有多样的代谢方式,对钙华沉积过程和形态具有重要影响.本研究以四川黄龙钙华为例,通过对典型沉积点的水化学、藻类群落组成和现代钙华微岩相结构进行综合分析,来揭示藻类在钙华沉积中的作用.研究发现,黄龙钙华沉积环...     

Aragonite laminae in hot water travertine crusts, Rapolano Terme, Italy

Small (5–30 μm) aggregates of aragonite needles occur in calcite crystal crusts of present day hot water slope travertines at Rapolano Terme in Tuscany, Italy. The aggregates are mainly concentrated in irregular, wispy and dark laminae which cross-cut calcite crystal feathers to create a pervasive millimetre scale banded appearance in the deposit; they also occur less commonly scattered irregularly through the calcite layers. The aragonite needle aggregates are in the form of crosses, fascicles (sheaf shaped bundles, or dumbbell shaped), rosettes and spherulites. Locally, irregular masses of needles also occur. The fascicles, rosettes and spherulites have hollow centres which resemble microbial components (?fungal spores, bacterial colonies and pollen), suggesting that the aragonite crystals are biotically nucleated. The lamination is interpreted to reflect diurnal control. Stimulation of microbial activity during daylight concentrates cells in laminae and promotes aragonite calcification. Calcite feather crystals, although traversed by the aragonite aggregate laminae, have a clear appearance under the light microscope. They form more or less continuously through the diurnal cycle by abiotic precipitation. The constant association of aragonite with organic nuclei, irrespective of whether the latter are in laminae or scattered through the calcite layers, supports a biotic control on aragonite formation. Lamination in Pleistocene travertines is superficially similar to that in the present day deposits, but is diagenetically altered. In the Pleistocene deposits, the calcite feathers appear dark under the light microscope and the aragonite aggregates, where they are not altered to dark calcite, are dissolved, together with parts of the adjacent spar calcite, and therefore appear light coloured.     

Questioning the microbial origin of automicrite in Ordovician calathid–demosponge carbonate mounds

Calathid–demosponge carbonate mounds are a feature of Early to Middle Ordovician shallow‐marine carbonate depositional environments of tropical to subtropical palaeolatitudes. These mounds contain an important amount of autochthonous non‐skeletal microcrystalline calcium‐carbonate (automicrite) conventionally considered microbial in origin. Here, the automicrite of calathid–demosponge carbonate mounds (Tarim Basin, north‐west China) is broken down into five distinct fabrics: an in situ peloidal–spiculiferous fabric (AM‐1), an in situ peloidal fabric (AM‐2), an aphanitic–microtubular fabric (AM‐3), a minipeloidal fabric (AM‐4) and a laminoid–cerebroid fabric (AM‐5). Type AM‐1 occurs with AM‐2 being succeeded by an assemblage of AM‐3 and AM‐4. Types AM‐4 and AM‐5 are separated by an erosional disconformity. A good correlation of fluorescence and cathodoluminescence of automicrites indicates that induced and supported organomineralization produced automicrite, probably via the permineralization of non‐living organic substrates adsorbing dissolved metal–humate complexes. Using a spreadsheet with six parameters and 17 characters, AM‐1 to AM‐4 turn out to be non‐microbial in origin. Instead, these automicrites represent relics of calcified metazoan tissues, such as siliceous sponges, non‐spiculate sponges or the basal attachment structures of stalked invertebrates. Fabric AM‐5 is a microbial carbonate but is post‐mound in origin forming a drape within a reefal framework established by AM‐4. The five automicritic fabrics, individually or as an assemblage, are a common element of Ordovician calathid–demosponge carbonate mounds in general. The reassessment of the origins of these automicritic fabrics holds consequences for understanding of the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event in terms of community structure, reef ecology and reef evolution. Episodically, these fabrics are also present in other carbonate build‐ups stretching from the Neoproterozoic over the entire Phanerozoic Eon. The massive calcification of metazoan soft tissue (AM‐1 to AM‐4) characterizes episodes and conditions of enhanced marine calcification and might be of value to refine secular trends of p CO₂, Ca concentration and Mg/Ca ratio at the scale of individual sedimentary basins.     

Calcium and magnesium‐limited dolomite precipitation at Deep Springs Lake,California

Dolomite [Ca,Mg(CO₃)₂] precipitation from supersaturated ionic solutions at Earth surface temperatures is considered kinetically inhibited because of the difficulties experienced in experimentally reproducing such a process. Nevertheless, recent dolomite is observed to form in hypersaline and alkaline environments. Such recent dolomite precipitation is commonly attributed to microbial mediation because dolomite has been demonstrated to form in vitro in microbial cultures. The mechanism of microbially mediated dolomite precipitation is, however, poorly understood and it remains unclear what role microbial mediation plays in natural environments. In the study presented here, simple geochemical methods were used to assess the limitations and controls of dolomite formation in Deep Springs Lake, a highly alkaline playa lake in eastern California showing ongoing dolomite authigenesis. The sediments of Deep Springs Lake consist of unlithified, clay‐fraction dolomite ooze. Based on δ¹⁸O equilibria and textural observations, dolomite precipitates from oxygenated and agitated surface brine. The Na‐SO₄‐dominated brine contains up to 500 mm dissolved inorganic carbon whereas Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ concentrations are ca 1 and 0·3 mm , respectively. Precipitation in the subsurface probably is not significant because of the lack of Ca²⁺ (below 0·01 mm ). Under such highly alkaline conditions, the effect of microbial metabolism on supersaturation by pH and alkalinity increase is negligible. A putative microbial effect could, however, support dolomite nucleation or support crystal growth by overcoming a kinetic barrier. An essential limitation on crystal growth rates imposed by the low Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ concentrations could favour the thermodynamically more stable carbonate phase (which is dolomite) to precipitate. This mode of unlithified dolomite ooze formation showing δ¹³C values near to equilibrium with atmospheric CO₂ (ca 3‰) contrasts the formation of isotopically light (organically derived), hard‐lithified dolomite layers in the subsurface of some less alkaline environments. Inferred physicochemical controls on dolomite formation under highly alkaline conditions observed in Deep Springs Lake may shed light on conditions that favoured extensive dolomite formation in alkaline Precambrian oceans, as opposed to modern oceans where dolomites only form diagenetically in organic C‐rich sediments.     

Pleistocene sea‐floor fibrous crusts and spherulites in the Danakil Depression (Afar,Ethiopia)

Pleistocene fibrous aragonite fabrics, including crusts and spherules, occur in the Danakil Depression (Afar, Ethiopia) following the deposition of two distinctive Middle and Late Pleistocene coralgal reef units and pre‐dating the precipitation of evaporites. Crusts on top of the oldest reef unit (Marine Isotope Stage 7) cover and fill cavities within a red algal framework. The younger aragonite crusts directly cover coralgal bioherms (Marine Isotope Stage 5) and associated deposits. Their stratigraphic position between marine and evaporitic deposits, and their association to euryhaline molluscs, suggest that the crusts and spherules formed in restricted semi‐enclosed conditions. The availability of hard substrate controls crust formation with crusts more often found on steep palaeo‐slopes, from sea level up to at least 80 m depth, while spherules mainly occur associated with mobile substrate. Crusts reach up to 30 cm in thickness and can be microdigitate, columnar (branching and non‐branching) or non‐columnar, with laminated and non‐laminated fabrics. Two different lamination types are found within the crystalline fabrics: (i) isopachous lamination; and (ii) irregular lamination. These two types of lamination can be distinguished by the organization of the aragonite fibres, as well as the lateral continuity of the laminae. Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy analyses on well‐preserved samples revealed the presence of Mg‐silicate laminae intercalated with fibrous aragonite, as well as Mg‐silicate aggregates closely associated with the fibrous aragonite crusts and spherules. The variety of observed fabrics results from a continuum of abiotic and microbial processes and, thus, reflects the tight interaction between microbially mediated and abiotic mineralization mechanisms. These are the youngest known isopachously laminated, digitate and columnar branching fibrous crusts associated with a transition from marine to evaporitic conditions. Understanding the context of formation of these deposits in Afar can help to better interpret the depositional environment of the widespread Precambrian sea‐floor precipitates.     

Active tectonics of the Ortaköy fissure-ridge-type travertines: implications for the Quaternary stress state of the neotectonic structures of the Central Anatolia,Turkey

Several geothermal fields are located in a NE-SW trend along a structural lineament around the Sivas basin; one of those is the Ortaköy travertines situated 83?km south-west of Sivas. There are eight fissure-ridge-type travertine localities in the area, although eroded-sheet-type travertines constitute many of the travertines of the region. By evaluating the rocks of the Late Miocene-Early Pliocene K?z?l?rmak Formation, it was determined that fissure axes developed within fissure-ridge-type travertines, and that the structural elements obtained from satellite images together with the fissures that form the fissure-ridge-type travertines are shear and tension fissures, and the NE-SW-oriented opening of the fissures, were a result of NW-SE-directed compression, which was also responsible for the formation of the Sivas Backthrust. Ground-penetrating radar studies have shown that the thickness of fissure fills within the fissure-ridge-type travertines of the Ortaköy geothermal field increase with depth, and that the hydrothermal fluids which brought about the formation of the travertines moved surfaceward via fissure systems. The results of U/Th radiometric dating indicate that the youngest travertine in the region is 17,761 (_?268/⁺²⁶⁹) years old and the oldest 128,286 (_?3537/⁺³⁶⁶²) years old. Using the widths of banded travertines within the fissure-ridge-type travertines as well as these age results, the opening rate of the Sivas Basin was determined to be .06 (_?.01/^+.05) mm/year.     

Aragonite–calcite veins of the ‘Erzberg’ iron ore deposit (Austria): Environmental implications from young fractures

The well‐known Erzberg site represents the largest siderite (FeCO₃) deposit in the world. It consists of various carbonates accounting for the formation of prominent CaCO₃ (dominantly aragonite) precipitates filling vertical fractures of different width (centimetres to decimetres) and length (tens of metres). These commonly laminated precipitates are known as ‘erzbergite’. This study focuses on the growth dynamics and environmental dependencies of these vein fillings. Samples recovered on‐site and from mineral collections were analyzed, and these analyses were further complemented by modern water analyses from different Erzberg sections. Isotopic signatures support meteoric water infiltration and sulphide oxidation as the principal hydrogeochemical mechanism of (Ca, Mg and Fe) carbonate host rock dissolution, mobilization and vein mineralization. Clumped isotope measurements revealed cool formation temperatures of ca 0 to 10°C for the aragonite, i.e. reflecting the elevated altitude Alpine setting, but unexpectedly low for aragonite nucleation. The ²³⁸U–²³⁴U–²³⁰Th dating yielded ages from 285·1 ± 3·9 to 1·03 ± 0·04 kyr bp and all samples collected on‐site formed after the Last Glacial Maximum. The observed CaCO₃ polymorphism is primarily controlled by the high aqueous Mg/Ca ratios resulting from dissolution of Mg‐rich host rocks, with Mg/Ca further evolving during prior CaCO₃ precipitation and CO₂ outgassing in the fissured aquifer. Aragonite represents the ‘normal’ mode of erzbergite formation and most of the calcite is of diagenetic (replacing aragonite) origin. The characteristic lamination (millimetre‐scale) is an original growth feature and mostly associated with the deposition of stained (Fe‐rich) detrital particle layers. Broader zonations (centimetre‐scale) are commonly of diagenetic origin. Petrographic observations and radiometric dating support an irregular nature for most of the layering. Open fractures resulting from fault tectonics or gravitational mass movements provide water flow routes and fresh chemical reaction surfaces of the host rock carbonates and accessory sulphides. If these prerequisites are considered, including the hydrogeochemical mechanism, modern water compositions, young U‐Th ages and calculated precipitation rates, it seems unlikely that the fractures had stayed open over extended time intervals. Therefore, it is most likely that they are geologically young.     

Novel applications of fluid inclusions and isotope geochemistry in unravelling the genesis of fossil travertine systems

The Denizli Basin is a fault‐bounded Neogene–Quaternary depression located in the Western Anatolian Extensional Province, Western Turkey. The basin is a unique geological site with abundant active and fossil (Quaternary) travertine and tufa deposits. Fluid inclusion microthermometry and isotopic analysis were applied to study the genesis of the Ball?k fossil travertine deposits, located in the south‐eastern part of the basin. Microthermometry on fluid inclusions indicates that the main travertine precipitating and cementing fluids are characterized by low salinity (<0·7 wt% NaCl equivalent) and variable temperatures that cluster at <50°C and ca 100°C. Fluids of meteoric origin have been heated by migration to the deeper subsurface, possibly in a local high geothermal gradient setting. A later uncommon cementation phase is related to a fluid with a significantly higher salinity (25·5 to 26·0 wt% bulk). The fluid obtained its salinity by interaction with Late Triassic evaporite layers. Strontium isotopes indicate that the parent carbonate source rock of the different travertine precipitates is very likely to be the Triassic limestone of the Lycian Nappes. Carbon isotopes suggest that the parent CO₂ gas originated from thermal decarbonation of the Lycian limestones with minor contributions of magmatic degassing and organic soil CO₂. Oxygen isotopes confirm the meteoric origin of the fluids and indicate disequilibrium precipitation because of evaporation and degassing. Results were integrated within the available geological data of the Denizli Basin in a generalized travertine precipitation model, which enhanced the understanding of fossil travertine systems. The study highlights the novel application of fluid inclusion research in unravelling the genesis of continental carbonates and provides several recommendations for hydrocarbon exploration in travertine‐bearing sedimentary basins. The findings suggest that travertine bodies and their parent carbonate source rocks have the potential to constitute interesting subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs.     

Origin and diagenesis of Quaternary travertine shrub fabrics, Rapolano Terme, central Italy

Millimetre to centimetre sized arborescent shrub-like calcite precipitates are common constituents of hot water travertine shallow pool deposits of Quaternary age at Rapolano Terme, Tuscany, Italy. In the presently forming travertines, the shrubs consist of apparently random associations of (i) micrite aggregates and (ii) subhedral to euhedral rhombic spar crystal aggregates. In thin section, the micrite aggregates appear dark and the spar-rhomb aggregates light, giving the shrubs a mottled appearance. Travertines are basically produced by CaCO₃ precipitation due to degassing and evaporation of the spring waters, although biological influence may also stimulate precipitation. The formation of masses of erect shrubs, rather than dense crystal crusts that form on slopes, is probably due to limited water flow in the pool environments. Microbes, including bacteria and diatoms, are important influences on shrub microfabric and external shape. The micrite aggregates are associated with bacteriform bodies, seen as tiny rods and spheres. The micrite precipitates around these bodies and in adjacent biofilm. Spar-rhomb precipitation appears to be external to the biofilm, and may be related to the presence of diatoms which are locally closely associated with the spar-rhombs, although an essentially inorganic origin, particularly for the more euhedral rhombs, cannot be ruled out. In the older Quaternary travertines, the original microfabric of the shrubs has been diagenetically altered. The original mottled appearance of the shrubs has become uniformly dark and micritic, and the evidence for the dual micritic and spar-rhomb origin of the shrubs is obscured or destroyed. Spar-micritization of the shrubs is probably due to abiotic, and locally biotic, dissolution. Previous studies did not recognize the diagenetic micritization and attributed shrub formation entirely to bacterial activity.     

Salinity reflux and dolomitization of southern Australian slope sediments: the importance of low carbonate saturation levels

Anomalously saline waters in Ocean Drilling Program Holes 1127, 1129, 1130, 1131 and 1132, which penetrate southern Australian slope sediments, and isotopic analyses of large benthic foraminifera from southern Australian continental shelf sediments, indicate that Pleistocene–Holocene meso‐haline salinity reflux is occurring along the southern Australian margin. Ongoing dolomite formation is observed in slope sediments associated with marine waters commonly exceeding 50‰ salinity. A well‐flushed zone at the top of all holes contains pore waters with normal marine trace element contents, alkalinities and pH values. Dolomite precipitation occurs directly below the well‐flushed zone in two phases. Phase 1 is a nucleation stage associated with waters of relatively low pH (ca 7) caused by oxidation of H₂S diffusing upward from below. This dolomite precipitates in sediments < 80 m below the sea floor and has δ¹³C values consistent with having formed from normal sea water (? 1‰ to + 1‰ Vienna Pee Dee Belemnite). The Sr content of Phase 1 dolomite indicates that precipitation can occur prior to substantial metastable carbonate dissolution (< 300 ppm in Holes 1129 and 1127). Dolomite nucleation is interpreted to occur because the system is undersaturated with respect to the less stable minerals aragonite and Mg‐calcite, which form more readily in normal ocean water. Phase 2 is a growth stage associated with the dissolution of metastable carbonate in the acidified sea water. Analysis of large dolomite rhombs demonstrates that at depths > 80 m below the sea floor, Phase 2 dolomite grows on dolomite cores precipitated during Phase 1. Phase 2 dolomite has δ¹³C values similar to those of the surrounding bulk carbonate and high Sr values relative to Phase 1 dolomite, consistent with having formed in waters affected by aragonite and calcite dissolution. The nucleation stage in this model (Phase 1) challenges the more commonly accepted paradigm that inhibition of dolomitization by sea water is overcome by effectively increasing the saturation state of dolomite in sea water.     

Abiotic versus biotic controls on the development of the Fairmont Hot Springs carbonate deposit, British Columbia, Canada

The relict Fairmont Hot Springs deposit, formed largely of carbonates, covers an area of 0·5 km², and is up to 16 m thick. The triangle‐shaped discharge apron, which broadens down‐valley, is divided into a proximal part with beds dipping at <10° and a distal part with beds dipping at 10° to 15°. The deposit is formed of the: (1) Basal Macrophyte; (2) Lower Carbonate; (3) Middle Clastic; (4) Upper Carbonate; and (5) Upper Clastic Sequences. Two charcoal samples embedded in the Lower Carbonate Sequence yielded dates of 8690 ± 90 and 8270 ± 70 cal yr bp , indicating that much of the deposit formed post‐glacially during the Early to Mid‐Holocene. Deposit aggradation ceased in the Mid to Late Holocene when the Fairmont Creek valley was incised. The Lower and Upper Carbonate Sequences, which are the thickest sequences, are composed of nearly equal parts of travertine (abiotic) and tufa (biotic), with feather dendrite travertine, radiating dendrite travertine and stromatolite tufa dominating. Competition between calcite precipitation rates and biotic growth rates controlled the distribution of tufa and travertine across the discharge apron. Calcite and biotic growth rates were controlled largely by flow velocity across the apron which, in turn, was controlled by topography and regular fluctuations in spring water discharge volume. During times of high spring discharge, slow sheet flow over the proximal part of the apron promoted stromatolite growth, whereas fast, turbulent flow on the distal part of the apron induced rapid feather dendrite formation. During times of low spring discharge, quiescent, shallow evaporative pools, conducive to radiating dendrite formation, formed on the proximal part of the apron, whereas slow flow on the distal part promoted stromatolite growth. Facies with high calcite supersaturation experienced rapid abiotic dendrite growth that precluded most biotic growth.     

Long-term analog of carbonation in travertine from Uleimat Quarries, Central Jordan

Quaternary travertine capping the metamorphic (cement) zones in Uleimat Quarries, central Jordan, has been precipitated from hyperalkaline paleogroundwaters. Such waters are similar to the cement pore water and to the present day hyperalkaline seepages (pH 12.5) in Maqarin, north Jordan. The isotopic depletions observed in Uleimat travertine, with δ¹³C values as low as −25.45‰, suggest that they have been precipitated during CO₂ uptake by highly alkaline calcium hydroxide waters. The travertine in Uleimat Quarries indicates a long-term analog of carbonation and remobilization of silica in cementitious barriers for radioactive waste repositories. The presence of Cr-rich smectites and relatively high levels of Cr (4.1%), V (657 ppm), Ni (163 ppm), Zn (634 ppm) and U (34 ppm) in the green travertine and the associated opaline silica phases suggests the use of the Uleimat travertines as analogs with the repository disturbed zone. Smectites and silica phases are expected to be a sink for alteration products in the late stage evolution of a high pH plume. Co-precipitation of these elements in mineral phases is of great importance to control the concentration of these elements in groundwater.     

Microbial influence on erosion,grain transport and bedform genesis in sandy substrates under unidirectional flow

Interpreting the physical dynamics of ancient environments requires an understanding of how current‐generated sedimentary structures, such as ripples and dunes, are created. Traditional interpretations of these structures are based on experimental flume studies of unconsolidated quartz sand, in which stepwise increases in flow velocity yield a suite of sedimentary structures analogous to those found in the rock record. Yet cyanobacteria, which were excluded from these studies, are pervasive in wet sandy environments and secrete sufficient extracellular polysaccharides to inhibit grain movement and markedly change the conditions under which sedimentary structures form. Here, the results of flume experiments using cyanobacteria‐inoculated quartz sand are reported which demonstrate that microbes strongly influence the behaviour of unconsolidated sand. In medium sand, thin (ca 0·1 to 0·5 mm thick) microbial communities growing at the sediment–water interface can nearly double the flow velocity required to produce the traditional sequence of ripple→dune→plane‐bed lamination bedforms. In some cases, these thin film‐like microbial communities can inhibit the growth of ripples or dunes entirely, and instead bed shear stresses result in flip‐over and rip‐up structures. Thicker (ca≥1 mm thick) microbial mats mediate terracing of erosional edges; they also, foster transport of multi‐grain aggregates and yield a bedform progression consisting of flip‐overs→roll‐ups→rip‐ups of bound sand.     

Microenvironmental controls on mineralogy and habit of CaCO3 precipitates: an example from an active travertine system

Analysis of water and associated carbonate precipitates from a small, warm-spring travertine system in SW Colorado, USA, provide an example of the: (i) great variability of the geochemical parameters within these dynamic systems, and (ii) significance of the microenvironment in controlling mineralogy and morphology of carbonate precipitates. Waters emerged from the springs highly charged in CO₂, with an initial p_CO2 of 1.2 × 10⁵ Pa. Degassing of the CO₂ from the waters decreased the pH from 6.1 to 8.0, resulting in an increase of 8%‰ in δ¹³C values downflow in the total CO₂ in solution and an increase in the I_SAT from 2.1 to as high as 63 times supersaturation with respect to calcite. Due to changes in the stable isotopic composition of the waters downflow as well as changes in the degree of supersaturation, stable isotopic analyses range greatly from locale to locale within this small system. Near the spring vents, at relatively low I_SAT levels, well-developed rhombohedra of calcite formed as biotically induced precipitates around diatom stalks and other algae as well as abiotic crusts. In contrast, near the distal end of the system, very high I_SAT levels were reached and resulted in the precipitation of skeletal-dendritic crystals of calcite on copper substrates, floating rafts of laterally linked hemispheres of aragonite crystals, and bimineralic carbonate-encrusted bubbles. Microenvironmental parameters control the mineralogy and habit of these precipitates.