Biomorphic formations in recent phosphorites

Ultramicroscopic particles of biogenic appearance found in recent phosphorite nodules in diatomaceous oozes from the Namibian shelf are described. The particles are mostly represented by three varieties, namely, colloform, rounded, and elongated bacillary particles, which are disseminated over the rock or, more often, form aggregations of various shapes. The aggregations consist of particles of similar types though different in sizes (from fractions of a micrometer to a few micrometers). Mutual intergrowths are also encountered, as well as twins, rosettes, and ball-shaped aggregations of elongated particles resembling vugs of other crystals. These morphological features together with the results of microbiological studies of diatomaceous oozes, in which phosphorite nodules are formed, suggest a nonmicrobial origin of most of the biomorphic particles.