Microbial Precipitates Around Continental Hot Springs and Geysers

摘要: Thermophilic microbes have long been implicated in the formation of travertine and siliceous sinter. Precipitation CaCO3 at thermal springs is induced mainly through degassing CO2. Cyanobacteria other bacteria can play a role calcite aragonite nucleation warm (20 – 40 °C) mesothermal (40 75 hot springs, photosynthesis biochemical processes may mediate some mineral precipitation. Many fabrics warm-spring travertines preserve evidence microbes. Travertine precipitated hyperthermal (> spring vents abiotic commonly exhibits high-disequilibrium crystal morphologies. Silica precipitation geysers results from rapid cooling evaporation. Microbes, however, an important by providing templates for silica controlling development many sinter geyserite fabrics.