A new model for the formation of microbial polygons in a coastal sabkha setting

Stephen W. Lokier; Luiza L. Andrade; Wesley M. Court; Kirsten E. Dutton; Ian M. Head; Cees van der Land; Andreas Paul; Angela Sherry

doi:10.1002/dep2.33

journal article Open Access Aug 28, 2017

A new model for the formation of microbial polygons in a coastal sabkha setting

Stephen W. Lokier

Luiza L. Andrade Wesley M. Court Kirsten E. Dutton Ian M. Head Cees van der Land Andreas Paul

Angela Sherry

The Depositional Record Vol. 3 No. 2 pp. 201-208 · Wiley

View at Publisher Save 10.1002/dep2.33

Abstract

AbstractThe stratigraphic record of microbially induced sedimentary structures spans most of the depositional record. Today, microbes continue to generate, bind and modify sediments in a vast range of depositional environments. One of the most cited of these settings is the coastal microbial mat system of the Persian/Arabian Gulf. In this setting, an extensive zone of microbial mat polygons has previously been interpreted as resulting from desiccation‐related contraction during episodic drying. This study employs 15 years of field‐based monitoring of the interaction between environmental factors and the development and evolution of polygon morphologies to test the desiccation model in this setting. On the basis of these observations, a new model is proposed that accounts for the genesis and development of microbial polygons without the need for desiccation‐induced shrinkage. Conversely, the formation, development and erosion of microbial polygons is a direct result of the production of large amounts of organic matter in a healthy, yet spatially limited, microbial community. The recognition of microbial polygons has previously been applied as a diagnostic tool for the reconstruction of ancient depositional environments. The present study calls these interpretations into doubt. It is inferred that preservation of the microbial polygons as a recognizable form would be rare. Biological degradation and compaction will reduce polygons to produce the ‘wispy’ laminae that are a common feature of ancient sabkha lithofacies.

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Details

Published: Aug 28, 2017
Vol/Issue: 3(2)
Pages: 201-208
License: View

Authors

S

Stephen W. Lokier

Department of Geosciences, Petroleum Institute Khalifa University of Science and Technology Abu Dhabi UAE

L

Luiza L. Andrade