Eukaryotic stromatolite builders in acid mine drainage: Implications for Precambrian iron formations and oxygenation of the atmosphere?

Research Article| July 01, 2002 Eukaryotic stromatolite builders in acid mine drainage: Implications for Precambrian iron formations and oxygenation of the atmosphere? S.S. Brake; S.S. Brake 1Department of Geography, Geology, and Anthropology, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana 47809, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar S.T. Hasiotis; S.T. Hasiotis 2Department of Geology, University of Kansas, 1475 Jayhawk Boulevard, 120 Lindley Hall, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar H.K. Dannelly; H.K. Dannelly 3Department of Life Sciences, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana 47809, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar K.A. Connors K.A. Connors 4Department of Geology and Geological Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2002) 30 (7): 599–602. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2002)030<0599:ESBIAM>2.0.CO;2 Article history received: 28 Nov 2001 rev-recd: 19 Mar 2002 accepted: 28 Mar 2002 first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share MailTo Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation S.S. Brake, S.T. Hasiotis, H.K. Dannelly, K.A. Connors; Eukaryotic stromatolite builders in acid mine drainage: Implications for Precambrian iron formations and oxygenation of the atmosphere?. Geology 2002;; 30 (7): 599–602. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2002)030<0599:ESBIAM>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Biological activity of Euglena mutabilis, an acidophilic, photosynthetic protozoan, contributes to the formation of Fe-rich stromatolites in acid mine drainage systems. E. mutabilis is the dominant microbe in bright green benthic mats (biofilm), coating drainage channels at abandoned coal mine sites in Indiana. It builds biolaminates through phototactic and aerotactic behavior, similar to prokaryotes, by moving through precipitates that periodically cover the mats. E. mutabilis also contributes to formation of Fe-rich stromatolites by (1) intracellularly storing Fe compounds released after death, contributing to the solid material of stromatolites and acting as nucleation sites for precipitation of authigenic Fe minerals, and (2) generating O2 via photosynthesis that further facilitates precipitation of reduced Fe, any excess O2 not consumed by Fe precipitation being released to the atmosphere. Recognition of E. mutabilis–dominated biofilm in acidic systems raises a provocative hypothesis relating processes involved in formation of Fe-rich stromatolites by E. mutabilis to those responsible for development of Precambrian stromatolitic Fe formations and oxygenation of the early atmosphere. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.