Processes Forming Daily Lamination in a Microbe-Rich Travertine Under Low Flow Condition at the Nagano-yu Hot Spring,Southwestern Japan

A daily rhythm of microbial processes, in terms of sub-mm order lamination, was identified for a microbe-rich aragonite travertine formed at a low-flow site of the Nagano-yu Hot Spring in Southwestern Japan. Continuous observation and sampling clearly showed that the lamination consisted of diurnal microbe-rich layers (M-layers) and nocturnal crystalline layers (C-layers). The M-layers originated from biofilm formed by growth and upward migration of filamentous cyanobacteria related to Microcoleus sp., which can rapidly glide and secrete extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). During the daytime, cyanobacterial biofilm development inhibited aragonite precipitation on the travertine surface due to the calcium-binding ability of EPS. After sunset, aragonite precipitation started on the surface where aerobic heterotrophic bacteria decomposed EPS, which induced precipitation of micritic crystals. This early stage of C-layer formation was followed by abiotic precipitation of fan-shaped aragonite aggregates. Despite their major role in lamina formation, the cyanobacteria were readily degraded within 6–10 days after embedding, and the remaining open spaces in the M-layers were sparsely filled with crystal clots. These lamina-forming processes were different from those observed in a high-flow site where the travertine has a dense texture of aragonite crystals. The microbial travertine at Nagano-yu is similar to some Precambrian stromatolites in terms of in situ mineral precipitation, regular sub-mm order lamination, and arrangement of filamentous microbes; therefore, the lamination of these stromatolites possibly occur with a daily rhythm. The microbial processes demonstrated in this study may revise the interpretation of ancient stromatolite formation.     

Formation of laminate travertines at bagno vignone,Italy

Travertine at Bagno Vignoni, Tuscany, is deposited from thermal CO₂‐rich water up‐welling from an artificial pool, Bagno Grande, which contains a thick benthic mat of cyanobacteria. The travertine mound, over 40 m in height, consists of calcite feather crystals and micrite. Over much of the mound, but particularly in the lower part, the travertine is finely banded, with pale bands of feather crystals alternating with dark bands containing micrite. Deposition rate measurements showed that the bands were formed daily, with the slightly narrower and darker bands formed at night. These nocturnal bands also contained wind‐borne dust. It is postulated that the dust caused heterogeneous nucleation of micrite and reduced the development of feather crystals. The deposition rate of travertine ranged from 127 to 348 μm/day and was highest at the top of the mound. Water analysis conducted over 27 h demonstrated a pronounced diurnal variation in the dissolved carbon dioxide of Bagno Grande, consistent with the photosynthetic activity of the benthic cyanobacteria. This variation could be traced to the base of the travertine mound but was not alone responsible for the higher deposition rate during the day. Water temperature on the mound also increased during the day and would have aided CO₂ evasion. Photosynthetic activity on the mound itself appeared to have far less influence on the carbon dioxide flux than Bagno Grande. The upper mound supported unlithified mats of the cyanobacteria Lyngbya (Phormidium) laminosum and Spirulina labyrinthiformis. These mats sometimes possessed fine travertine laminae resulting from cyanobacterium phototaxis and may have been responsible for some lamination in the upper mound. The CO₂ flux measurements indicated that overall, atmospheric evasion of carbon dioxide was more significant to travertine deposition than photosynthetic activity.     

Laminated Iron Texture by Iron-Oxidizing Bacteria in a Calcite Travertine

An iron-rich travertine at Shionoha hot-spring in western Japan, displays a sub-millimetre order lamination consisting of microbially-incduced ferrihydrite and calcite-matrix. The ferrihydrite occurs as 5- to 10-μ m thick filaments that extend and apparently branch upwards. A sheathed morphotype having a meshwork of a rod-like organic substance and phylogenetically identified species of genus Siderooxidans were responsible for precipitation of the ferrihydrite. The iron oxidizers are microaerophilic and thrive on Fe(II) and a redox gradient, that are available at the study site near the vent. Bacterial activity enhanced ferrihydrite deposition at rate of ～ 10 μ m/day, and formed the laminated texture. The bacteria increased their density upward in each lamina and suddenly decreased the density at the top of the lamina. This change may have resulted from a deficiency of metabolic substances at the sediment–water interface when the iron-oxidizers became very dense or when other chemoautotrophs, such as methanotrophs, consumed oxygen on the surface. The metabolism of the microaerophilic iron-oxidizing bacteria growing in neutral pH environments contribute significantly to the precipitation of iron mineral deposits. Because the laminated textures observed in this study have a great preservation potential, they help to identify the contributions of iron-oxidizers to ancient BIFs and provide an idea for pO₂ and pH of the ancient ocean.     

Isolation and Identification of Halophilic and Halotolerant Bacteria From Badab-e Surt Travertine Spring,Kiasar, Iran,and Investigation of Calcite Biomineralization Induction

Badab-e Surt spring is a travertine spring that has low to moderate levels of salt, so it is a good model for isolating moderately halophilic bacteria and investigating the relationship between microbe and environment. For isolating bacterial strains, water and sediment samples were collected from different springheads of the Badab-e Surt spring. Among the 171 bacterial isolates, 110 strains were halophiles. According to comparative partial 16S rRNA sequence analysis, the selected halophilic gram-positive and gram-negative strains were identified as members of the genera: Roseovarius, Labrenzia, Erythrobacter, Erythromicrobium, Massilia, Marinobacter, Halomonas, Shewanella, Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, Bacillus, Brevibacterium, Staphylococcus, Microbacterium, Kocuria, and Streptomyces. To investigate mineralization, potential strains were screened by the culturing method, and then analyzed with a polarizing and scanning microscope. Five strains, Bss-11a, Bss-3, Bsw-1c1, Bsw-28d, and Bsw-39b, had potential for the mineralization of calcite that very closely resembled species Bacillus cohenii DSM 6307^T, Labrenzia aggregate IAM 12614^T, Bacillus safensis FO-036b^T, Marinobacter flavimaris SW-145^T, and Marinobater adhaerens HP15^T, respectively.     

Endolithic photosynthetic communities within ancient and recent travertine deposits in Yellowstone National Park

Molecular and culture based methods were used to survey endolithic, photosynthetic communities from hot spring-formed travertine rocks of various ages, ranging from<10 to greater than 300,000 years. Much of this travertine contained a 1-3-mm-thick greenish band composed mainly of cyanobacteria 1-5 mm below the rock surface. The travertine rocks experienced desiccation in summer and freezing in winter. A total of 83 environmental 16S rRNA gene sequences were obtained from clone libraries and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. Small subunit rRNA gene sequences and cell morphology were determined for 36 cyanobacterial culture isolates from these samples. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the 16S rRNA gene sequences fell into 15 distinct clusters, including several novel lineages of cyanobacteria.     

The Early Holocene treeline in the southern French Alps: new evidence from travertine formations

Aims The present paper concerns the analysis of macro‐remains (plant imprints) from high altitude travertine deposits dating back to the early Holocene (9800 BP ). Our results allow us to discuss treeline location and ecology, and to supplement previous data based on pollen from natural sediments and charcoal from natural soil. Location The travertine under study is located in the Queyras massif, in the southern French Alps, along the Italian border. The site is situated on a south‐facing slope. Methods The travertine deposit has been dated by ²³⁰Th/²³⁴U. Taxonomic identification of plant imprints was achieved by comparison of the morphology of fossil specimens with extant material. Results Imprints of Pinus uncinata (cones and needles), broad‐leaved trees (Betula cf. pubescens, Populus tremula and Salix spp.), and unidentified trunks have been found. The plant assemblage records the existence at a high altitude (2200 m) of shade‐intolerant vegetation at around 9800 BP. Our data indicate that the treeline limit was at least 100 m higher than previously thought. The morphological features of the travertine, the plant assemblage and trunk diameters indicate that during the travertinization process, vegetation around the site was probably dense with tall upright trees. Main conclusions Our data show that Pinus uncinata and broad‐leaved trees developed at 2200 m, while regional pollen analyses locate the treeline at lower altitudes. Different research methods appear to provide different results. Around 9800 BP tree regeneration and growth were made possible up to at least 2200 m a.s.l., probably as a result of warmer and wetter summers. Warmer conditions are inferred from the predicted increase in incoming solar radiation based on calculated orbital variations, and wetter conditions are inferred from the build‐up of the travertine.     

Calcite Precipitation in Hard Water Lakes in Calculation and Experiment

Calcite precipitation in model solutions and natural waters depends on the magnitude of saturation (saturation index ≫ 1). Continuous lye addition should simulate the CO₂ decrease through assimilation by algae and the experiments can be applied to the autochthonic calcite precipitation in lakes. It seems possible to restore lakes with artificial calcite precipitation. Basic data for this experiment are given in this paper.     

Leaf litter breakdown in a Mediterranean stream characterised by travertine precipitation

1. Breakdown of four leaf species ( Platanus orientalis , Populus nigra , Salix atrocinerea , Rubus ulmifolius ) was studied in a Mediterranean second-order stream characterised by abundant travertine precipitation, a history of fire in its catchment, and a recently revegetated alluvial corridor.
2. Compared to breakdown rates reported in the literature for congeneric species, breakdown of the four species was slow (k = 0.0024–0.0069 day⁻¹ for the tree species, and 0.0103 and 0.0111 day⁻¹ for Rubus ), in spite of high water temperatures, indicating that the travertine layer that quickly covered submerged leaves impeded decomposer activity and physical fragmentation losses.
3. Breakdown rates nevertheless differed between leaf species in a predictable manner, suggesting that the observed mass loss was largely due to biological processes.
4. The observed tendency towards increasing leaf nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations during breakdown suggests that microorganisms were actively involved in leaf breakdown; however, this interpretation must be viewed with caution because of potentially confounding effects by nutrients contained in the travertine layer.
5. Leaf breakdown of the three indigenous species was faster than that of the exotic species P. orientalis . Due to the recalcitrance of its leaves, the frequent use of Platanus in revegetation schemes following the destruction of indigenous vegetation by fire, exacerbates the negative effect of travertine precipitation on leaf breakdown and, by extension, energy flow in Mediterranean karst streams.     

Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation for Seepage Control in Sandy Soil

Microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) can reduce the permeability of soil by reducing the pore volumes. A MICP-based soil improvement method to control water leakage in irrigation channels and reservoirs built on sandy soil grounds is presented in this article. Using this method, a low-permeable hard crust can be formed at the soil surfaces. An experimental study was carried out to evaluate the effect of this method. Sandy soil samples were treated using four different schemes, namely, (1) surface spray, (2) surface spray with the addition of fibers, (3) surface spray and bulk stabilization, and (4) immersion stabilization. By applying around 2.6?L treatment liquid (consisting of ureolytic bacteria, 0.5?mol/L calcium chloride and 0.5?mol/L urea) to the top 2-cm thick soil, the seepage rates of the samples treated by the four different schemes could be reduced by up to 379 times. The conversion rates of calcium source in the tests were up to 89.7%. The results showed that a method of treating the soil in bulk before the formation of a crust on top of the soil layer was effective in reducing the seepage rates. After the bio-treatment, the formed low-permeable hard crust layer was 10 to 20?mm thick with a calcite content higher than 5%. Below the hard crusts, the calcite content was less than 5% and the soil was not properly cemented. Using the mercury intrusion test, it was found that both pore volumes and pore sizes of the bio-treated soil reduced significantly as compared with the untreated soil. Penetration tests using a flat-bottom penetrometer were used to assess the mechanical behavior of the bio-treated soil. The results indicated that the penetration resistance of the bio-treated soil layer was much higher than that of the untreated soil.     

Cyanobacterially deposited speleothems: Subaerial stromatolites

Stalagmites, which appear to be deposited by cyanobacterial action, have been identified in two caves in New South Wales (Australia). These have a characteristic morphology, which has given rise to local names likening them to crustaceans. We have studied these speleothems, and the cyanobacteria covering them, by microscopic and chemical techniques. Both calcite precipitation and aeolian sediment trapping are involved in their deposition, which is strongly controlled by environmental conditions. They can be regarded as stromatolites within currently accepted definitions of the term.     

The Role of a Green Alga in the Precipitation of Calcite and the Coprecipitation of Phosphate in Freshwater

The precipitation of calcite from a calcium bicarbonate solution, similar in ionic strength to natural hardwaters, was observed in a series of experiments utilizing an automated culture apparatus. Seeded growth experiments, using calcite seed crystals, were performed at a range of phosphate concentrations to observe inhibitory effects. These experiments demonstrated a linear relationship of increasing inhibition with increasing initial phosphate concentration. A further series of experiments was performed in which an actively photosynthesizing culture of a unicellular green alga (Chlorococcum sp.) was added to the culture vessel in order to initiate precipitation. Experiments to observe spontaneous precipitation, occurring in the absence of both seed and alga additions, were carried out to compare with precipitation rates in the algal experiments. A control experiment was also performed to investigate whether precipitation occurrred in algal cultures maintained in darkness. The carbonate site mechanistic model, developed for calcite precipitation in abiotic conditions, was used to analyse the results of the algal experiments and found to be applicable.     

The role of cyanobacteria in crystallization of magnesium calcites

Laboratory experiments showed the effect of the cyanobacterium Microcoleus chthonoplastes on the formation of magnesium calcites, using model solutions (2.14M MgCl₂-0.05M CaCl₂-0.6M NaCl-0.18M NaHCO₃). The conditions of existence of cyanobacteria in such solutions in light or darkness significantly alter the structure of the sediment and the shape and size of the carbonate crystals. Cyanobacteria slow down crystallization due to the formation of exometabolites with a chelating effect, which leads to the precipitation of high-magnesium calcites. In the photosynthetic environment the presence of huntite (CaMg₃(CO₃)₄), possible forerunner of dolomite, is prominent.     

降水年内分配不均匀性指标

径流量及其分配过程依赖于降雨特征,它关系到水利设施规模和水资源合理配置。本文借鉴水文界经验,应用降雨集中度、降雨不均匀系数和调节系数概念,并对后2个系数进行修订,使其值域介于0～1。利用中原地区有代表性的4个气象台站1951—2005年的日降雨资料,计算并分析比较了降雨集中度、降雨不均匀系数和调节系数在河南省的适用性。结果表明:降水集中度、降水不均匀系数和调节系数从不同侧面反映了降水量的年内分布特征。3个指标具有一定的可比性,但数值上用同样资料计算的调节系数都要大于不均匀系数;4站候、旬和月的降水不均匀系数有相同的分布规律,随着时段的延长,不均匀系数增大,其变幅也增大,而调节系数则不同,随着时段的延长,降水调节系数减小,而相应的变幅则增大;分别采用候、旬和月的降水资料计算的降水集中度、不均匀系数和调节系数之间具有很好的一致性,最小的相关系数为0.60(P<0.001),说明3个指标间可互为代替;采用候、旬和月计算的降水集中度两两之间呈显著相关,相关系数为0.98;候、旬和月不均匀系数之间的相关系数为0.75;候、旬和月的调节系数之间的相关系数与不均匀系数相当。表明这3个指标在不同时间尺度间具有明显的一致性,在河南区域只应用月降水量就能反应降水的不均匀性。