Non-lithifying microbial ecosystem dissolves peritidal lime sand

Abstract Microbialites accrete where environmental conditions and microbial metabolisms promote lithification, commonly through carbonate cementation. On Little Ambergris Cay, Turks Caicos Islands, mats occur widely in peritidal environments above ooid sand but do not become lithified or preserved. Sediment cores porewater geochemistry indicated that aerobic respiration sulfide oxidation inhibit lithification dissolve calcium despite widespread aragonite precipitation from platform surface waters. Here, we report tidally pumped environments, can negate the effects of taphonomically-favorable seawater chemistry on mineral saturation microbialite development.