Microbial mats
What goes on in a microbial mat?
Base for growth of a mat is the photosynthesis of diatoms and cyanobacteria. Part of the produced organic substance is oxidized in the sulfate-containing deeper layers. Hereby sulfide is formed in the last step. Sulfide precipitates as iron sulfide, if it is not oxidized by sulfur bacteria. The latter can be colorless sulfur bacteria, which use oxygen as electron acceptor, or purple sulfur bacteria that carry out anoxygenic photosynthesis.
Literatur
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Stal LJ, van Gemerden H, Krumbein WE (1985) Structure and development of a benthic marine microbial mat. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 31:111-125
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van Gemerden H (1993) Microbial mats: A joint venture. Mar Geol 113:3-25
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Krekeler D, Teske A, Cypionka H (1998) Strategies of sulfate-reducing bacteria to escape oxygen stress in a cyanobacterial mat. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 25:89-98
Pictures
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Heribert Cypionka (1-7, 9-12), Erhard Rhiel und Renate Kort (8)
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