Formation of nesquehonite and other minerals as a consequence of biofilm dehydration |
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| Authors: | R. J. C. McLean H. E. Jamieson D. R. Cullimore |
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| Affiliation: | (1) Department of Biology, Southwest Texas State University, 601 University Drive, 78666 San Marcos, TX, USA;(2) Department of Geological Sciences, Queen’s University, K7L 3N6 Kingston, Ontario, Canada;(3) Department of Biology, University of Regina, S4S OA2 Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada |
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| Abstract: | A microbial biofilm community was established over 971 days within gravel in an aquarium so as to model biofouling of an aquifer. When the water was allowed to evaporate slowly, white crystalline deposits, containing several carbonate and sulphate minerals including nesquehonite (MgCO3.3H2O), were seen at the highest points on the surface of the biofouled gravel. No such deposits occurred in regions lacking biofilms. These crystals appeared to originate from evaporation of dissolved salts which had migrated through the biofilm. Surfaceadherent microbial biofilms may conceivably provide a conduit for solute transport in porous media such as soils and aquifers. |
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| Keywords: | Aquifer biofilm soil solute transport |
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