Frutexites-like structures formed by iron oxidizing biofilms in the continental subsurface (Aspo Hard Rock Laboratory, Sweden)
2017 | journal article. A publication with affiliation to the University of Göttingen.
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Frutexites-like structures formed by iron oxidizing biofilms in the continental subsurface (Aspo Hard Rock Laboratory, Sweden)
Heim, C. N. ; Quéric, N. V. ; Lonescu, D.; Schaefer, N. & Reitner, J. (2017)
PLoS ONE, 12(5) art. e0177542. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0177542
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- Authors
- Heim, Christine N. ; Quéric, Nadia Valérie ; Lonescu, Danny; Schaefer, Nadine ; Reitner, Joachim
- Abstract
- Stromatolitic iron-rich structures have been reported from many ancient environments and are often described as Frutexites, a cryptic microfossil. Although microbial formation of such structures is likely, a clear relation to a microbial precursor is lacking so far. Here we report recent iron oxidizing biofilms which resemble the ancient Frutexites structures. The living Frutexites-like biofilms were sampled at 160 m depth in the Aspo Hard Rock Laboratory in Sweden. Investigations using microscopy, 454 pyrosequencing, FISH, Raman spectros-copy, biomarker and trace element analysis allowed a detailed view of the structural components of the mineralized biofilm. The most abundant bacterial groups were involved in nitrogen and iron cycling. Furthermore, Archaea are widely distributed in the Frutexites-like biofilm, even though their functional role remains unclear. Biomarker analysis revealed abundant sterols in the biofilm most likely from algal and fungal origins. Our results indicate that the Frutexites-like biofilm was built up by a complex microbial community. The functional role of each community member in the formation of the dendritic structures, as well as their potential relation to fossil Frutexites remains under investigation.
- Issue Date
- 2017
- Journal
- PLoS ONE
- ISSN
- 1932-6203
- Sponsor
- Open-Access-Publikationsfonds 2017