Effect of different biological solutions on microbially induced carbonate precipitation and reinforcement of sand

Abstract

Sporosarcina pasteurii is widely used in the application of microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) for various applications, such as ground reinforcement, erosion mitigation or stabilization of sand foreshore slopes. This study focuses on the effect of thallus resuspended by the fresh medium (RF) on urea hydrolysis, MICP, and sand reinforcement compared with untreated biological solutions (US) with high microbial concentration. The principle is investigated by tests on thallus resuspended by saline solution [NaCl (0.9%)] (RS) and supernatant (SS). The results indicate that the addition of the fresh medium is insignificant for promoting MICP and even has a slightly negative effect on urea hydrolysis and sand improvement for stationary phase bacteria. The ability of US to hydrolyze urea and MICP is derived from two sources: urease existing in the cell bodies and free urease existing in solution for lysis of partial cells, with urease in cells accounting for the majority. The preferable sand reinforcement of US is primarily due to the high amount of carbonate precipitation and formation of non-biological calcium carbonate located primarily in the pores. The results indicate that the preference of US in various engineering applications with lower cost for the realizable reinforcement.     

The influence of particle morphology on microbially induced CaCO3 clogging in granular media

Abstract

Sporosarcina pasteurii (ATCC 11859) is a nitrogen-circulating bacterium capable of precipitating calcium carbonate given a calcium source and urea. This microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) is able to infill inter-granular porosity and act as a biological clogging agent, thus having a wide potential application in strengthening coastal foundations, preventing erosion by seas and rivers and in reducing sand liquefaction potential in coastal areas. A successful MICP application requires the understanding of the primary parameters that influence the microbially mediated process to achieve its engineering goals, such as injection scheme, chemical concentrations, retention times, and injection rates. However, the granular morphology has generally been oversimplified to ideal shape without enough consideration in previous studies. The following explores the critical micro-scale influence of particle morphology on mechanisms of microbially induced clogging. Spherical, non-spherical and angular particles were used as granular aggregates in permeating column experiments with the resulting permeability and calcium carbonate content of the treated aggregates examined. Microscopic examination (SEM) defines the features of the distribution of microbially precipitated calcium carbonate and the forms of clogging. The results show: (1) given a fixed duration of treatment, the calcium carbonate content for the spherical particle aggregate is significantly higher than that for near-spherical and angular particle aggregates; (2) for identical durations of treatment, the maximum permeability reduction occurs for angular particles (rather than for spherical particles with the highest carbonate content). This suggests that the microscopic distribution of calcium carbonate is significantly influenced by particle morphology, exerting a critical control in the effectiveness of clogging. SEM images indicate that the microbial calcium carbonate precipitates encapsulate the spherical particles as a near-uniform shell and occlude the pore space only by increasing the shell thickness. In contrast, the near-spherical and angular particles are only partially coated by a calcium carbonate film with scattered crystals of vaterite and calcite further clogging the void space. The polyhedral nature of the non-spherical particles tends to result in a slot-shaped pore structure which critically defines the hydraulic conductivity of the ensemble medium. As the microbial vaterite and calcite continue to accumulate on the particle surface, these slot-shaped pore structures become increasingly more tortuous – resulting in a noticeable reduction of permeability at a lower calcium carbonate content.     

Study of magnesium precipitation based on biocementation

Abstract

Magnesium carbonate has a cementing character like calcium carbonate, and the addition of magnesium ion enables the microbe cementitious material to have the denser microstructure with the lower porosity. The effects of various factors, such as the concentration of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, on the urease activity were studied. Comparison of the productive rates for calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate were carried out, as well as productive rates for magnesium carbonate with adding different amount of urea to medium. Calcium acetate and magnesium acetate were, respectively, used for sands solidification. Results showed that the increase in urea concentration and magnesium ion enhanced urease activity, while calcium ion significantly impaired urease activity. Sodium chloride and acetate ion had little influence on it. Productive rates for magnesium carbonate were dramatically smaller than its calcium counterpart. However, adding urea to medium allowed for more magnesium precipitation, and the higher the urea concentration, the more the magnesium precipitation. The sand columns with adding urea to medium can have a high strength despite using magnesium acetate. Therefore, the method could solve the problem of insufficient magnesium precipitation. The results will act as a guide for the application of biocementation technology with magnesium carbonate.     

Oyster patch reefs as indicators of fossil hydrocarbon seeps induced by synsedimentary faults

The Late Jurassic deposits of the Boulonnais area (N-France) represent the proximal lateral-equivalent of the Kimmeridge Clay Formation; they accumulated on a clastic-dominated ramp subject to synsedimentary faulting as a result of the Atlantic Ocean rifting. In the Gris-Nez Cape area, i.e., close to the northern border fault zone of the Jurassic basin, the Late Jurassic sequence contains small-dimensioned oyster patch reefs (<1 m) that are specifically observed at the base of an abrupt deepening trend in the depositional sequence induced by well-defined pulses of normal fault activity. Petrographic analysis of these patch reefs shows that they are exclusively composed of Nanogyra nana embedded in a microsparitic calcite matrix. ™¹³C measurements, carried out within both the matrix and the shells, display significantly lower values in the matrix compared to the oyster shells which suggests that the carbonate matrix precipitation was involving a carbon source different from marine dissolved inorganic carbon, most probably related to sulfate reduction, which is evidenced by light ™³⁴S in pyrites. Similarities but also differences with lucinid-rich bioconstructions, namely, the Late Jurassic pseudo-bioherms of Beauvoisin (SE-France) suggest that the patch reefs developed at hydrocarbon seeps are related to synsedimentary faults. The extensional block-faulting segmentation of the northern margin of the Boulonnais Basin in Late Jurassic times is thus believed to have induced a sort of small-dimension hydrocarbon seepage field, recorded by the patch reef distribution.     

底物中钙赋存形态对太平洋牡蛎(Crassostrea gigas)幼虫附着的诱导效应

为探讨底物中钙赋存形态对牡蛎幼虫附着的诱导效应,本研究设计3因子随机区组实验,检验实验底物钙含量、钙赋存形态及海水中牡蛎幼虫丰度对实验底物上太平洋牡蛎(Crassostrea gigas)稚贝附着效果(密度和壳高)的影响。结果表明,在3个因子中,实验底物钙含量对附着稚贝密度和壳高的影响不显著(P0.05),而其它2个因子(钙赋存形态和海水中牡蛎幼虫丰度)均显著影响着实验底物上附着牡蛎稚贝的密度和壳高(P0.05)。在相同的牡蛎浮游幼虫丰度下,3种钙形态底物对牡蛎幼虫附着的诱导能力大小顺序为:有机钙碳酸钙=硫酸钙(P0.05);壳高的结果却恰恰相反。在同样的钙形态底物中,高牡蛎幼虫丰度下牡蛎稚贝附着量均显著高于低幼虫丰度的处理组(P0.05)。     

A non-invasive anaesthetic method for accessing the brood chamber of the Chilean flat oyster (Ostrea chilensis)

A cost effective method to discern brooding from non-brooding specimens of the Chilean flat oyster (Ostrea chilensis Phillipi, 1844) is needed to optimise current hatchery practices for this species. Accordingly, we investigated the efficacy of two treatments, AQUI-S® and MgCl₂, in anaesthetising individuals of this species and then mapped any subsequent mortality of anaesthetised oysters. Oysters immersed for 3 h in solutions of 20, 40, 80 and 100 µL L^?1 of AQUI-S® exhibited no signs of anaesthesia and also recorded low levels of mortality (i.e. 8% or less). Conversely, oysters immersed in 30, 40 and 50 g L^?1 MgCl₂ showed between 96%–100% anaesthesia after 3 h whereas only 70% of oysters immersed in 60 g L^?1 MgCl₂ were anaesthetised over this time period. Time taken for 50% of oyster shells to open (SO₅₀) was compared among MgCl₂ treatments with oysters immersed in 60 g L^?1 taking significantly longer than (103 min) those immersed in 30–50 g L^?1 (SO₅₀ values of 43, 54 and 37 min respectively). Furthermore, treating oysters with MgCl₂ resulted in low levels of mortality (i.e. 13% or less) and was not related to MgCl₂ concentration. Thus, our results show that immersing O. chilensis in MgCl₂ to be an efficient and cost effective method to access the brood chamber of this species. We recommend the use of 30 g L^?1 for routine anaesthesia and recommend that future work investigates the efficacy of cheaper MgCl₂ sources and what effects MgCl₂ anaesthetisation has on developing larvae.     

Properties and performance of a high volume fly ash grout

Abstract

This study investigated the penetrability of high volume fly ash cement suspensions prepared with and without superplasticizer into sandy soil having different relative densities with 30%, 60%, 73%, and 83% through permeation grouting. Class C fly ash was used due to its pozzolanic activity and fineness. Due to engineering characteristics and cost, cementitious grouts are the most commonly used grout in both waterproofing and ground strengthening. Fly ash-cement grouts have relatively constant and low viscosity values for a reasonable period after preparation, exhibit limited or negligible bleed capacity and set and develop satisfactory strength within a relatively short period. Modeling of grouting of soil was done in laboratory and improvements in physical and mechanical properties of grouted soil were analyzed. Unconfined compressive strength, shear strength and permeability characteristics of grouted soil were studied as a result. Unconfined compressive strength values of grouted sand with high volume fly ash ranged between 410 and 1107?kPa. Morover, cohesion values were comparable to microfine cement grouting ranging from 373 to 511?kPa. Furthermore, permeability values were also approximately equal to the permeability of impervious liners, which is around 1?×?10^?7?cm/s. The findings support the applicability of grouting in different applications.     

Authigenic carbonates from active methane seeps offshore southwest Africa

The southwest African continental margin is well known for occurrences of active methane-rich fluid seeps associated with seafloor pockmarks at water depths ranging broadly from the shelf to the deep basins, as well as with high gas flares in the water column, gas hydrate accumulations, diagenetic carbonate crusts and highly diverse benthic faunal communities. During the M76/3a expedition of R/V METEOR in 2008, gravity cores recovered abundant authigenic carbonate concretions from three known pockmark sites—Hydrate Hole, Worm Hole, the Regab pockmark—and two sites newly discovered during that cruise, the so-called Deep Hole and Baboon Cluster. The carbonate concretions were commonly associated with seep-benthic macrofauna and occurred within sediments bearing shallow gas hydrates. This study presents selected results from a comprehensive analysis of the mineralogy and isotope geochemistry of diagenetic carbonates sampled at these five pockmark sites. The oxygen isotope stratigraphy obtained from three cores of 2–5?m length indicates a maximum age of about 60,000–80,000?years for these sediments. The authigenic carbonates comprise mostly magnesian calcite and aragonite, associated occasionally with dolomite. Their very low carbon isotopic compositions (–61.0?<?δ¹³C ‰ V-PDB?<?–40.1) suggest anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) as the main process controlling carbonate precipitation. The oxygen isotopic signatures (+2.4?<?δ¹⁸O ‰ V-PDB?<?+6.2) lie within the range in equilibrium under present-day/interglacial to glacial conditions of bottom seawater; alternatively, the most positive δ¹⁸O values might reflect the contribution of ¹⁸O-rich water from gas hydrate decomposition. The frequent occurrence of diagenetic gypsum crystals suggests that reduced sulphur (hydrogen sulphide, pyrite) from sub-seafloor sediments has been oxidized by oxygenated bottom water. The acidity released during this process can potentially induce the dissolution of carbonate, thereby providing enough Ca²⁺ ions for pore solutions to reach gypsum saturation; this is thought to be promoted by the bio-irrigation and burrowing activity of benthic fauna. The δ¹⁸O–δ¹³C patterns identified in the authigenic carbonates are interpreted to reflect variations in the rate of AOM during the last glacial–interglacial cycle, in turn controlled by variably strong methane fluxes through the pockmarks. These results complement the conclusions of Kasten et al. in this special issue, based on authigenic barite trends at the Hydrate Hole and Worm Hole pockmarks which were interpreted to reflect spatiotemporal variations in AOM related to subsurface gas hydrate formation–decomposition.     

On the variation in calcium content of the waters of Laccadives (Arabian Sea)

The concentration of calcium was determined in the samples collected from four stations in the Laccadive Sea and from two lagoons of Kavaratti and Minicoy atolls. The calcium/chlorinity ratio for the open ocean samples was found to be 0.02168 ± 0.000015 with an average calcium concentration of 424.9 mg kg^?1. A maximum in this ratio was observed at about 200 m depth, below the salinity maximum corresponding to Arabian Sea Surface Water mass. No increase in calcium concentration or in calcium/chlorinity ratio was observed down to 1500 m depth, thereby ruling out the possibility of any calcium carbonate dissolution at these depths. Samples from Kavaratti and Minicoy lagoons gave much lower values of the Ca/Cl ratio (0.02145 ± 0.000036 and 0.02142 ± 0.000046, respectively). These low values are apparently the result of calcium utilization by the coral reefs. Using the reduction in the calcium concentration inside the lagoon, in the absence of any chemical precipitation, the annual CaCO₃ production by reef flat and lagoon on Kavaratti Atoll has been estimated as 1 · 10⁷ kg. This gives an average gross production of 1.4 kg CaCO₃ per m² per yr.     

Biogrouting of hydraulic fill fine sands for reclamation projects

ABSTRACT

Biogrouting, which is a new method for soil improvement, was used in an attempt to cement a type of hydraulic fill fine sands (called black sands) in reclamation projects in Tianjin, China, to form a working layer for mechanical equipment. Several factors influencing biogrouting with regard to cementing solution, including injection frequency, reaction time, concentration, and flow rate, were controlled to prepare black sand columns. This paper reports on an investigation of bacterial fixation, calcium ion utilization, and calcium carbonate distributions of biogrouted sand specimens. At the end of the tests, the geotechnical performances of the sand specimens were determined. The results showed that the biogrouting method effectively solidified black sands, by increasing the unconfined compressive strength of a sand column to 1.91?MPa and reducing the permeability coefficient by three orders of magnitude. A relationship between the unconfined compressive strengths and calcium carbonate contents was put forward, in addition to a relationship between the permeability coefficients and the calcium carbonate contents. According to the experimental results, some reasonable suggestions regarding the application of biogrouting to the consolidation of hydraulic fill fine sands in reclamation projects were proposed.     

Geochemical and microbiological characteristics of sediments near the Malenky mud volcano (Lake Baikal, Russia), with evidence of Archaea intermediate between the marine anaerobic methanotrophs ANME-2 and ANME-3

Detailed lithological, biogeochemical and molecular biological analyses of core sediments collected in 2002–2006 from the vicinity of the Malenky mud volcano, Lake Baikal, reveal considerable spatial variations in pore water chemical composition, with total concentrations of dissolved salts varying from 0.1 to 1.8‰. Values of methane δ¹³С in the sediments suggest a biogenic origin (δ¹³С_min. ?61.3‰, δ¹³С_max. ?72.9‰). Rates of sulphate reduction varied from 0.001 to 0.7 nmol cm^?3 day^?1, of autotrophic methanogenesis from 0.01 to 2.98 nmol CH₄ cm^?3 day^?1, and of anaerobic oxidation of methane from 0 to 12.3 nmol cm^?3 day^?1. These results indicate that methanogenic processes dominate in gas hydrate-bearing sediments of Lake Baikal. Based on clone libraries of 16S rRNA genes amplified with Bacteria- and Archaea-specific primers, investigation of microbial diversity in gas hydrate-bearing sediments revealed bacterial 16S rRNA clones classified as Deltaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Chloroflexi and OP11. Archaeal clone sequences are related to the Crenarchaeota and Euryarchaeota. Baikal sequences of Archaea form a distinct cluster occupying an intermediate position between the marine groups ANME-2 and ANME-3 of anaerobic methanotrophs.     

Low calcification rates and calcium carbonate production in Porites panamensis at its northernmost geographic distribution

Porites panamensis is a hermatypic coral present in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Skeletal growth parameters have been reported, but studies of the relationship between annual calcification rates and environmental controls are scarce. In this study, we investigated three aspects of the annual calcification rates of P. panamensis: growth parameters among three P. panamensis populations; the sea surface temperature as a calcification rate control spanning a latitudinal gradient; and calcium carbonate production among three sites. Growth parameters varied among the sites due to the colony growth form. Massive colonies in the north showed a higher calcification rate than encrusting colonies in the south (mean: 1.22–0.49 g CaCO₃ · cm^?2 · yr^?1), where variations in calcification rates were related to growth rate (0.91–0.38 cm · yr^?1) rather than to skeletal density differences (overall mean ± SD, 1.31 ± 0.04 g CaCO₃ · cm^?3). Our results showed a positive linear relationship between annual calcification rates and sea surface temperatures within these P. panamensis populations. Differences were related to distinct oceanographic environments (within and at the entrance of the Gulf of California) with different sea surface temperature regimes and other chemical properties. Different populations calcified under different environmental conditions. Calcium carbonate production was dependent upon the calcification rate and coral cover and so carbonate production was higher in the north (coral cover 12%) than in the south (coral cover 3.5). Thus, the studied sites showed low calcium carbonate production (0.25–0.43 kg CaCO₃ · m^?2 · yr^?1). Our results showed reduced calcification rates, regional temperature regime control over calcification rates, different growth forms, low coral cover and low calcium carbonate production rates in P. panamensis.     

Reconstructing estuarine conditions: oyster shells as recorders of environmental change, Southwest Florida

Live-collected shells of the oyster, Crassostrea virginica, contain geochemical records of modern temperature and salinity, so records of prehistoric conditions may be obtained from subfossil shells. Restoration of channelized watersheds in Florida is receiving much attention, and plans for targeted watersheds require information about estuarine conditions before channelization. Lack of historical records necessitates alternative methods to understand pre-disturbance conditions. A ¹⁴C-calibrated, amino-acid geochronology based on racemization of glutamic acid yielded ages ranging from 190–1220 AD and from 1270–1860 AD for subfossil oysters from Blackwater River (near-natural watershed) and for Faka-Union Bay (channelized watershed), respectively. δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C values of subfossil shells from Blackwater River indicate salinity and summer temperatures similar to present. Winter temperatures recorded in shells from 190, 590, 720, and 1050 AD appear 1–5 °C colder than present winter temperatures, whereas the shell from 1220 AD records winter temperatures similar to modern winter temperatures. These temperature shifts may indicate change in climate or natural seasonal variation of winter temperature from year to year. Subfossils from Faka-Union Bay may reflect a complicated hydrology, which cannot be evaluated by isotopic compositions alone and demonstrates the need for development of independent elemental proxies for temperature and salinity. Decreases in δ¹³C from subfossil to modern shells may in part result from CO₂ added to the atmosphere from fossil fuel burning (the Suess effect). Subfossil δ¹³C that is >1‰ more positive than modern shells suggest a change in the dominant carbon sources from terrestrial C₄ or aquatic plants to C₃ plants (mangroves).     

Factors influencing biodeposit production by the New Zealand freshwater mussel Echyridella menziesii

Laboratory experiments on the New Zealand freshwater mussel Echyridella menziesii were used to investigate the short-term effects (7–8 days) of food type on rates of biodeposition and benthic substrate respiration. Post-feeding biodeposition rates ranged from 0.34 to 1.52?mg?g^?1?h^?1 (mean?=?0.50?mg g^?1?h^?1) and were unaffected by the addition of toxin-producing Microcystis. Addition of suspended sediment (30?mg?L^?1) visibly altered substrate composition, and increased total and inorganic biodeposit production rates by 24–33% compared to mussels fed commercial phytoplankton stock. Biodeposition rates of mussels in lake bed substrates were 38% higher than those in silica sand for identical feeding regimes, suggesting that a significant proportion of material produced in this experiment could have been derived from feeding on organic matter in the lake bed sediments. Respiration rates were higher in treatments with Microcystis but were unaffected by the presence of mussels. This laboratory study suggests that biodeposition by E. menziesii is resilient to short-term exposure to Microcystis, and highlights the ability of mussels to alter benthic substrate composition by incorporating suspended sediment into substrates.     

Seasonal Variation in the Phytoplanktonic Community,Seston and Environmental Variables During a 2-Year Period and Oyster Growth at Two Mariculture Sites,Southern Chile

Phytoplankton and its relationships with physical and chemical variables were analysed over a 2-year period in Hueihue and Linao Bays (southern Chile). Samples were collected on a monthly basis from May 1991 to May 1993. The growth rate of a single stock of hatchery-produced oysters (Ostrea chilensis) distributed between these two bays was also monitored monthly. The growth rate of oysters maintained at Linao Bay (site associated with a fish farm) was significantly higher, at every depth, compared with the oysters maintained at Hueihue Bay. Temperature and salinity values and their annual fluctuations were similar at both locations, presenting higher variations at the surface (1 m) due to the influence of air temperature and local precipitation than at depth. However, significant differences in phytoplankton abundance and composition were found between the two locations. The phytoplankton community was characterized by high biomass values during spring and summer, the dominance of diatoms and an inverse relationship between temperature and species diversity. However, phytoplankton cell abundance, biovolume and chlorophyll a concentration were significantly higher at Linao at every depth sampled. Cell abundance ranged between 4.49 × 10⁴ and 7.45 × 10⁶ cells · l^?1 in Hueihue and between 6.48 × 10⁴ and 8.71 × 10⁶ cells ·1^?1 in Linao. The influence of temperature on chlorophyll a concentration was significant except at 8 m at both locations. The instantaneous oyster growth rate was found to be positively correlated with temperature, chlorophyll a concentration and particulate organic matter at both locations. A significant negative relationship between oyster growth and amount of particulate inorganic matter was found; this confirms the important role played by seston composition in oyster growth. The demonstration of variation in oyster growth rate associated with differences in food availability between the two locations provides insight into the ecological role played by fish farms in southern Chile. The results suggest a strong link between food availability and oyster growth.     

Pristine or altered: low-Mg calcite shells survived from massive dolomitization? A case study from Miocene carbonates

Low-Mg calcite shells have been widely used to reconstruct the chemistry of ancient seawater. There is always a question: are the shells chemically pristine? This paper presents the isotope and elemental geochemistry of low-Mg calcite bivalve shells in late Miocene platform carbonates, SE Spain. The platform carbonates were extensively dolomitized, and limestone is restricted to older stratal units, and to units mainly in topographically higher and more landward strata. Low-Mg calcite oyster shells were completely dissolved out in the basinward dolomite, but are well preserved in the limestone. These shells appear to retain the original growth microstructures, based on hand samples. Under the microscope, however, dissolution and recrystallization, as well as pristine growth lines are all present. Sr isotopes in these shells range from that of normal Miocene seawater to radiogenic values. δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C values, and Mg, Sr, and Na concentrations in these shells are rather variable. The high end members are consistent with the typical values of modern/late Miocene normal-seawater low-Mg calcite shells, whereas the low end members are close to those of diagenetic calcite cements, which have low δ¹⁸O, δ¹³C, Sr and Na values, and radiogenic Sr. The Nijar shells were altered physically and chemically to different degrees by diagenesis, although these shells are consistent with some “criteria” of unalteration. The isotopic and trace-element data collected in altered and pristine (or less altered) portions coexisting in the same shells are clearly differentiable. Quantitative simulation of covariations of geochemical pairs indicates that solid mixing of unaltered and altered portions by sampling is consistent with the variations in isotopic and elemental data recorded in the Nijar shells. The geological significance of this study is that ancient fabric-retentive calcite shells may have been altered geochemically although they may appear pristine. Calcite shells that underwent intensive diagenesis should be examined rigorously under the microscope, coupled with investigations of multiple geochemical proxies to assess chemical alteration. Only the data of unaltered shells can be used to reconstruct the chemistry of ancient seawater.     

Calcium-alkalinity-nitrate relationship in the north pacific and the Japan Sea

When biogenic particles of calcium carbonate and organic matter are formed or decomposed in sea water, calcium concentration, alkalinity and nitrate concentration are changed according to the following equation: ΔCa=0.5 ΔTA+0.63 ΔNO ₃, where ΔCa, ΔTA and ΔNO ₃ are the differences in calcium, alkalinity and nitrate concentration, respectively, between two waters. This relationship was pointed out in a previous paper of ours, and it holds well for data obtained from the North Pacific and the Japan Sea. Furthermore, in sea water containing little or no nutrients, the variations in calcium concentration and alkalinity are consistent with the variations expected from the formation and dissolution of calcium carbonate alone.     

Theoretical considerations about the reactions of calcification in sea water

We examine the concentration variations of the different parameters X of the carbonate system in seawater when calcium carbonate precipitation occurs. Variations are expressed as ∂[X]/∂[Ca²⁺]. Four different cases are considered: spontaneous chemical precipitation; calcification combined with photosynthetic activity under a constant ΔCT/Δ[Ca²⁺] ratio; precipitation under constant p_CO2 and precipitation under constant [Ca²⁺]·[CO₃²⁻] ionic concentration product. The last condition should be maintained by an ecosystem which, thanks to the regulation of its calcifying and photosynthetic activity, would absorb 1 mol of carbon for organic tissue each time 1 mol of CaCO₃ is formed. This stoichiometric ratio would allow the activity of these biological communities to go on in practically closed systems during periods compatible with their growth or development cycles.     

Diagenetic behavior of manganese in Tokyo Bay sediment

To understand the behavior of manganese in diagenetic processes in sediments of an enclosed bay which is similar to those of an estuary, chemical analyses have been carried out on both sediment and interstitial water of a core sample collected from Tokyo Bay. The results suggest that redistribution of manganese takes place within the sediment as a result of the dissolution of buried manganese oxides and hydroxides under reducing condition, the downward diffusion of Mn²⁺ through the interstitial water toward lower layers and then the precipitation of carbonate. The carbonate formed in the sediment contains managanese carbonate probably as a solid solution between calcitic calcium carbonate and manganese carbonate.     

Formation of chemogenic calcite in super-anoxic seawater — Framvaren, southern Norway

Framvaren, a super-anoxic fjord in southern Norway, contains 7–8 mmoll⁻¹ of sulphide and a total carbonate concentration of 18.5 mmol kg⁻¹ in the bottom water. The chemistry of calcium has been studied, considering sources, biogenic and chemical processes and sedimentary sinks. Calcium associated with the bacteria biomass at the redox interface (18m depth) appears to be the primary source of dissolved calcium in the deep, anoxic water. Excess calcium and high total carbonate cause supersaturation of calcite, which is precipitated chemogenically. Calcite (and presumably some aragonite) is identified both in sediment trap material and the bottom sediments below the depth of supersaturation.