'Farbstreifen-Sandwatt' and sulfate-reducing
bacteria of the genus Desulfovibrio
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The black color underneath the purple layer is caused by precipitations of iron sulfide. This is formed from sulfide, the metabolic end-product of sulfate-reducing bacteria, when iron is available in the sediment. Sulfate-reducing bacteria are also present in the upper sediment layers. However, sulfide will be reoxidized by sulfide-oxidizing bacteria in the light or with oxygen as oxidizing agent.
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Microbial mats
