Calcification of cyanobacterial filaments: Girvanella and the origin of lower Paleozoic lime mud

Research Article| September 01, 2001 Calcification of cyanobacterial filaments: Girvanella and the origin of lower Paleozoic lime mud Brian R. Pratt Brian R. Pratt 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E2, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Brian R. Pratt 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E2, Canada Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 03 Jan 2001 Revision Received: 05 Apr 2001 Accepted: 03 May 2001 First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (2001) 29 (9): 763–766. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2001)029<0763:COCFGA>2.0.CO;2 Article history Received: 03 Jan 2001 Revision Received: 05 Apr 2001 Accepted: 03 May 2001 First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Brian R. Pratt; Calcification of cyanobacterial filaments: Girvanella and the origin of lower Paleozoic lime mud. Geology 2001;; 29 (9): 763–766. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2001)029<0763:COCFGA>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 The origin of lime mud in ancient shallow-marine carbonate platforms is one of the most vexing mysteries in sedimentary geology. Possible sources previously suggested include the physical and biological disintegration of animal and algal bioclasts, mineralizing pelagic organisms, and spontaneous whitings from either abiotic precipitation or calcification of suspended picoplankton and organic matter. The styles of occurrence of micrite- walled tubes referred to Girvanella in lower Paleozoic limestones argue that occasional permineralization of mucilaginous sheaths of the benthic filamentous cyanobacteria precursor could have produced lime mud when the tubes fell apart. Estimated volumes are comparable to those calculated for the modern Bahama platform. The copious growth of cyanobacteria typical in shallow-marine settings indicates that this mechanism could account for a considerable amount of lime mud, especially in the early Paleozoic. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.