Self-sedimented diatom mats as agents of exceptional fossil preservation in the Oligocene Florissant lake beds, Colorado, United States

Abstract

Research Article| March 01, 2000 Self-sedimented diatom mats as agents of exceptional fossil preservation in the Oligocene Florissant lake beds, Colorado, United States Ian C. Harding; Ian C. Harding 1School of Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Loraine S. Chant Loraine S. Chant 1School of Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Ian C. Harding 1School of Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK Loraine S. Chant 1School of Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 19 Jul 1999 Revision Received: 26 Oct 1999 Accepted: 04 Nov 1999 First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (2000) 28 (3): 195–198. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2000)28<195:SDMAAO>2.0.CO;2 Article history Received: 19 Jul 1999 Revision Received: 26 Oct 1999 Accepted: 04 Nov 1999 First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Ian C. Harding, Loraine S. Chant; Self-sedimented diatom mats as agents of exceptional fossil preservation in the Oligocene Florissant lake beds, Colorado, United States. Geology 2000;; 28 (3): 195–198. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2000)28<195:SDMAAO>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Microbial mats play a major role in the formation of exceptionally preserved fossil deposits by overgrowing and binding organic remains and sedimentary particles. This minimizes hydrodynamic and biological disruption of dead organisms and sedimentary laminae, but published works all implicate prokaryotic cyanobacteria as the microbial agent. However, exceptionally well preserved macrofossils of the Oligocene Florissant lake beds (Colorado, United States) are enveloped in matted aggregations of mucous-secreting, pennate diatom frustules. It is suggested that the macrobiota became entrapped in mucous-secreting mats of surface water blooms of planktonic diatoms in lake Florissant. As the mats and the incorporated macrobiota were sedimented out of the water column, the mucosic mats and their associated bacterial communities arrested decay and promoted preservation of refractory tissues. Thus, by a completely different mechanism, the diatom mats fulfilled the same preservational role previously suggested for cyanobacterial mats. This hitherto unrecognized mode of preservation may be an important causative factor in the formation of exceptionally preserved lacustrine fossil biotas. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.