Mineral Paragenesis Precipitating in Salt Flat Pools of Continental Environments Replicated in Microbial Mat Microcosms without Evaporation

Mineral precipitation can be observed in natural environments, such as lagoons, rivers, springs, and soils. The primary process has long been believed to abiotic due evaporation, leading phase supersaturation. However, biotic interactions of microbial metabolism, organic compounds, dissolved ions mineral shown laboratory studies using single-organism culture. increase pH inducing calcium carbonate oxygenic photosynthesis by Cyanobacteria the release matter decomposition Firmicutes-inducing magnesium are recognized examples. As microbes do not live pure cultures environments but form complex communities, culture lab reflect conditions. In this study, we grew communities microcosm conditions filtered brine water column two types gypsum substrates, replenished incubations avoid evaporation. We monitored through optical microscopy analyzed paragenesis association with without microbes, different analytical techniques, X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopies. To detect changes throughout experiment, small amounts were extracted for physicochemial determinations. able paragenesis, avoiding including major phases chemical sedimentary rocks, gypsum, carbonate, some silicates microbes. addition, evidenced that use substrates positively impacts growth promoting development more biomass. This study seen first attempt proof concept differentiating participation evaporitic deposits, they Future experiments mats will needed establish induced micro-organisms their extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), specifically replicate sedimented from brines.