生物岩石学的定义

生物岩石学是研究生物岩（即生物成因的岩石）的特征、形成机制、形成环境及其与矿产资源的关系的一门新兴交叉学科,其研究内容至少包括生物矿化、现代生物礁、古代生物礁、现代微生物岩石和古代微生物岩石5个方面。生物矿化作用和现代生物岩的研究为古代生物岩的研究提供了认识基础。由于现代生物圈和环境不同于古代,现代生物矿化作用和生物岩的研究成果并不全部能直接应用于古代生物岩研究。古代生物岩和生物矿化作用的类型比现代丰富得多,不可能全部从现代生物岩和生物矿化作用中找到参照,但可以为现代生物矿化实验研究提供设计思路。生物岩石学的相关学科包括生物学、微生物学、古生物学、古微生物学、沉积学、沉积岩石学、矿物学、地球化学、地质微生物学等,因为生物岩石学研究需要应用这些学科的知识,并且生物岩石学研究也会反哺这些学科。

Definition of biopetrology

Biopetrology is a new interdisciplinary science dealing with the features, formation, environment of bioliths, i.e., the biogenic rocks, and their relationship with resources and ores. Currently it includes the five different but related research fields: biomineralization, modern reefs, ancient reefs, modern microbial rocks, and ancient microbial rocks. Research of biomineralization and modern bioliths provides the base for the study of ancient bioliths. Because present-day biosphere and environments are different from the ancient, the research results of modern bioliths and biomineralization cannot be directly applied to the ancient. The research results of the ancient bioliths can provide ideas for designing the research of modern bioliths and biomineralization. The related disciplines include biology, microbiology, paleontology, paleomicrobiology, sedimentology, sedimentary petrology, mineralogy, geochemistry, and geomicrobiology. Biopetrological research needs the knowledge of these disciplines.