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Sediments and Environmental Geochemistry pp 254–276Cite as

Microbial Modification of Sedimentary Surface Structures

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Abstract

In coastal salterns, physical forces cause the upfolding of surface layers. Gelsticky, microfibrous substrates produced by microbes interfere with these processes. Results are folds and buckles, which differ from abiogenic tepee structures. The modified tepees are termed petees. Basing upon the over-thrusting mechanism involved, petees are classified into three types: (1) alpha-petees are buckles or folds which initially derive from subsurficial gas pressure, wind or water friction. In alpha-petees, mineral crystallization is either non-existent or initial, crests remain closed and rounded. (2) Beta-petees are advanced stages of alpha-petees with ruptured crests. Mineral crystallization takes place in the whole field of preformed folds, buckles and interspaces. Alpha- and beta-petees can be arranged irregulary or as parallel folds. (3) Gamma-petees are folds around polygons, formed in coherent biogenic surface layers. Their crests are sometimes rounded, but more often ruptured. Gamma-petees are visually closest to tepees and evolve from the same process which is lateral expansion of surface crusts by crystallization pressure.

Within the peritidal zone, petee environments range between subtidal and highest supratidal areas: alpha-petees may already develop in subtidal lagoons and reefs. Gypsum-encrusted beta- and gamma-petees rather indicate intertidal and lower supratidal exposure, and tepees finally the relatively highest topography where microbial mats are excluded.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. c/o Senckenberg-Institute, Schleusenstraße 39a, D-2940, Wilhelmshaven, Germany

    Hans-Erich Reineck

  2. Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, University of Oldenburg, P.O.Box 2503, D-2900, Oldenburg, Germany

    Gisela Gerdes, Marianne Claes, Katharina Dunajtschik, Heike Riege & Wolfgang E. Krumbein

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  1. Hans-Erich Reineck
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  2. Gisela Gerdes
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  3. Marianne Claes
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  4. Katharina Dunajtschik
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  5. Heike Riege
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  6. Wolfgang E. Krumbein
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Sedimentforschung, Universität Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 236, D-6900, Heidelberg, Germany

    Dietrich Heling

  2. Lehrstuhl für Geologie, Universität Mannheim, Postfach 10 34 62, D-6800, Mannheim 1, Germany

    Peter Rothe

  3. Arbeitsbereich Umweltschutztechnik, TU Hamburg-Harburg, Eißendorfer Str. 40, D-2100, Hamburg 90, Germany

    Ulrich Förstner

  4. Geologisch-Paläontologisches Institut, Universität Kiel, Ludwig-Meyn-Str. 10, D-2300, Kiel 1, Germany

    Peter Stoffers

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© 1990 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Reineck, HE., Gerdes, G., Claes, M., Dunajtschik, K., Riege, H., Krumbein, W.E. (1990). Microbial Modification of Sedimentary Surface Structures. In: Heling, D., Rothe, P., Förstner, U., Stoffers, P. (eds) Sediments and Environmental Geochemistry. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-75097-7_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-75097-7_15

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-75099-1

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