A microscopic sedimentary succession of graded sand and microbial mats in modern siliciclastic tidal flats

Abstract

Microscopic studies of thin sections from modern siliciclastic tidal flat sediments in the southern North Sea demonstrate the significant role of microbial mats in the buildup of sedimentary sequences. This is documented by a unit only a few millimetres thick. It starts at the base with a fine- to medium-grained quartz sand often containing secondary pores (‘fenestrae type’) merging gradually into finer sediments. The lower siliciclastic part is superposed by an upper organically dominated layer built by microbial mats. Within the organic material, single quartz grains without any contact to each other are oriented with their long axes parallel to the bedding planes. Each siliciclastic part in the lower section of the unit indicates the initial deposition of coarser grains in a stronger flow regime followed by gradually decreasing flow velocities. Each microbial mat in the upper part essentially represents a period of low sedimentation rate. During its growth, grains still settle down onto the mat and become bound in the organic matrix. The orientation of these grains with their long axes parallel to the bedding plane points to an energetically suitable position to gravity achieved by the friction reduction of the soft organic matter. Repeated depositional events followed by low-rate deposition cause the buildup of various units. There is no visible reworking of the former surfaces, since the microbial mats prevent erosion during periods of increased flow. The buildup is characteristic of siliciclastic sediments repeatedly occupied, stabilized, and fixed by microbial films or mats.