Microbialite

Microbialite is a benthic sedimentary deposit made of carbonate mud (particle diameter less than 5 μm) that is formed with the mediation of microbes.

[6][needs update] Fossil evidence suggests that microbialite-producing organisms were a very abundant life form from the early Archaean to the late Proterozoic, until their communities decreased due to the predation of foraminifera and other eukaryotic microorganisms.

[8][9][10] The formation of microbialites is complex and is a continuous process of precipitation and dissolution, where different microbial metabolisms are coupled and a high saturation index (SI) of ions in water is present.

[12] 2) Trapping and binding: when the microbial community includes mineral particles of the environment that adhere to the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS).

While the phylogenetic diversity of these microbial communities is pretty well assessed using molecular biology, the identity of the organisms contributing to carbonate formation remains uncertain.

[21] There is great interest in studying fossil microbialites in the field of paleontology since they provide relevant data on paleoclimate and function as bioclimatic indicators.

[23] The study of modern microbialites can provide relevant information and serve as environmental indicators for the management and conservation of protected natural areas.