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Minerals
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From Microbes to Minerals: Geochemical Signatures of Bacterial and Algal...
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From Microbes to Minerals: Geochemical Signatures of Bacterial and Algal Sedimentary Systems

A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomineralization and Biominerals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2026 | Viewed by 1450

Editors

Prof. Dr. Ahmet Şaşmaz

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Geological Engineering, Firat University, 23119 Elazig, Turkey
Interests: microbial geochemistry; algal diatomites; geochemical proxies; manganese geochemistry; environmental geochemistry; heavy metal pollution
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Marianna Cangemi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Osservatorio Etneo, Piazza Roma 2, 95125 Catania, Italy
Interests: environmental geochemistry; heavy metal pollution

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The interaction between biology and geology has shaped the Earth's surface for billions of years. From the earliest stromatolites of the Archean period to modern deep-sea carbonate mounds, microbial communities and higher organisms have played a powerful role as geological drivers. These processes leave distinct geochemical traces—chemical, isotopic, and mineralogical fingerprints—that open a window into paleoenvironmental conditions and the evolution of life.

This Special Issue aims to bring together the latest research deciphering the complex signals preserved in the biogenic and microbialite records. It offers contributions investigating mineral deposition mechanisms, the preservation of organic biomarkers, and the application of unconventional isotope systems in determining biological impact in rock records. Microorganisms play a crucial role in mineral formation, diagenesis, and elemental cycling, particularly in lacustrine, marine, and terrestrial systems. These processes include biomineralization, the behavior of redox-sensitive elements, fractionation of rare earth elements (REEs), and trace metal enrichment in sediments. In this issue, studies integrating field observations, laboratory experiments, and modeling approaches are particularly encouraged.

Scope and Key Themes

We welcome original research articles, reviews, and case studies focusing on, but not limited to, the following areas:

  • Microbialites, Stromatolites and Algal Processes: Decoding the chemical conditions of formation and the role of Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) in organomineralization.
  • Diatomites, Diatoms and Siliceous Sediments: Diatomites and their living environments, sedimentation conditions, geochemical processes during this period, and usage parameters in current technological fields.
  • Isotopic Proxies: Applications of stable isotopes and metal isotopes (as redox and metabolic indicators).
  • Biomarker Geochemistry: The identification and preservation of lipid biomarkers and functional groups in ancient sediments.
  • Biogenic Carbonates and Phosphates: Trace element partitioning (Sr/Ca, Mg/Ca, REE) as a tool for reconstructing seawater chemistry.
  • Early Diagenesis: How post-depositional processes alter or enhance biogenic signals.
  • Astrobiology: Utilizing terrestrial biogenic analogs to refine the search for biosignatures on Mars and icy moons.

Prof. Dr. Ahmet Şaşmaz
Dr. Marianna Cangemi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Minerals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • biosignatures
  • microbialites
  • stromatolites
  • diatomites
  • biogenic carbonates
  • siliceous sediments
  • algal processes
  • diagenesis

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

33 pages, 18686 KB  
Article
Integrated Approach to Paleontological and Geochemical Data of the Upper Campanian–Maastrichtian Harami Formation (Elazığ, Eastern Türkiye)
by Sibel Kayğılı, Ercan Aksoy and Mehmet Özkul
Minerals 2026, 16(8), 848; https://doi.org/10.3390/min16080848 - 17 Aug 2026
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Abstract
The aim of this study is to determine the age and depositional environment of the Harami Formation through an integrated interpretation of XRF, ICP-MS, SEM-EDS, stable isotope, and radioactive isotope analysis results and findings of larger benthic foraminifera. Findings from the authors’ previous [...] Read more.
The aim of this study is to determine the age and depositional environment of the Harami Formation through an integrated interpretation of XRF, ICP-MS, SEM-EDS, stable isotope, and radioactive isotope analysis results and findings of larger benthic foraminifera. Findings from the authors’ previous studies regarding the characteristics of larger benthic foraminifera were utilized; geochemical analysis results were obtained for the first time in this study. The mean 87Sr/86Sr values are generally consistent with the ages determined from the larger benthic foraminifera. The analysis results and Y/Ho values indicate that CaO is the dominant component, while negative Ce and positive Eu anomalies are indicative of a low-grade diagenetic effect. The absence of hydrothermal activity in the depositional environment and the proximity of the values to those of seawater are supported by the Y/Ho and Eu/Sm ratios. Similarly, to the larger benthic foraminifera content that indicates the Harami Formation was deposited in a shallow, oxic environment, the trace element ratios (V/Cr and V/V+Ni) and slightly negative Ce anomalies also support deposition in an oxic environment, while the Sr/Ba and Sr/Rb analysis results indicate a shallow marine environment. The analysis results further indicate that the depositional environment ranged from warm-temperate to arid conditions. A decrease in mean temperature is observed from the late Campanian to the early Maastrichtian, with an increase from the early Maastrichtian to the late Maastrichtian. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Microbes to Minerals: Geochemical Signatures of Bacterial and Algal Sedimentary Systems)
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25 pages, 8441 KB  
Article
Geochemical Evidence on the Source of Silica and Depositional Setting of the Diatomites in the Ağın (Elazığ, Turkey)
by Mohamed Sie Sanogo, Marianna Cangemi, Nevin Konakci, Mahmut Palutoglu, Ali Abedini and Ahmet Sasmaz
Minerals 2026, 16(7), 718; https://doi.org/10.3390/min16070718 - 8 Jul 2026
Viewed by 610
Abstract
The Upper Oligocene–Lower Miocene Alibonca Formation retains an essential record of intricate relationships among carbonate platform evolution, volcanic–sedimentary inflow, and high-purity silica deposition. This study examines the stratigraphic structure, paleoenvironmental development, and industrial viability of the Ağın diatomite deposits using comprehensive sedimentological, mineralogical, [...] Read more.
The Upper Oligocene–Lower Miocene Alibonca Formation retains an essential record of intricate relationships among carbonate platform evolution, volcanic–sedimentary inflow, and high-purity silica deposition. This study examines the stratigraphic structure, paleoenvironmental development, and industrial viability of the Ağın diatomite deposits using comprehensive sedimentological, mineralogical, and geochemical investigations. Stratigraphic evidence indicates that the formation commenced with Early Miocene alluvial fan and shallow restricted marine sub-basin sedimentation prior to evolving into a significant marine incursion. This marine phase created a resilient carbonate platform structure consisting of reef-core, fore-reef, and back-reef sub-environments. Simultaneously, vigorous regional synsedimentary volcanism introduced high-flux silica pulses into the basin, acting as a major catalyst for diatom proliferation and high biological productivity within a restricted sub-basin setting. Geochemical analyses indicate that these bright white, diatomite deposits formed in conjunction with potassium-rich clays in a relatively deep, low-energy, and confined sub-basin of the Alibonca Sea. The high concentration of bulk SiO2 and low trace element baselines are consistent with a high-purity deposional system and a low total rare earth element (ΣREE) abundance. However, their relatively high Al2O3 and K2O contents indicate significant volcanic and terrigenous detrital input together with authigenic clay mineral formation during diatomite deposition, classifying the deposits as clay-bearing (argillaceous) diatomites rather than exceptionally pure diatomites. Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) values indicate moderate continental chemical weathering under mostly hot and humid paleoclimatic conditions. The rapid terrestrial runoff and nutrient influx stimulated significant diatom growth before the ultimate late Early Miocene marine regression, transforming the area into a subaerial, volcanically influenced terrestrial environment. The Ağın deposits exemplify intra-platform marine silica sinks, demonstrating how tectonic–magmatic influences can surpass typical carbonate factory conditions to provide economically valuable biogenic mineral resources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Microbes to Minerals: Geochemical Signatures of Bacterial and Algal Sedimentary Systems)
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