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Minerals
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Life and Carbonate: Biotic and Abiotic Fingerprints in Past and...
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Life and Carbonate: Biotic and Abiotic Fingerprints in Past and Recent Carbonate Sediments

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2025) | Viewed by 9814

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Martino Giorgioni

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Guest Editor
Institute of Geosciences, Universidade de Brasília, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil
Interests: carbonate sedimentology; isotopes geochemistry; paleoceanography; paleoclimatology; stratigraphy
Prof. Dr. Luca Basilone

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo, Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, São Paulo, SP 05508-120, Brazil
2. IISS E. Ascione, Via Centuripe 11, 90135 Palermo, Italy
Interests: carbonate sedimentology; basin analysis; sedimentary basins; stratigraphy; biostratigraphy; sequence stratigraphy; tectonics; geological mapping
Dr. Tomaso Bontognali

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Space Exploration Institute, Fbg de l’Hopital 68, 2002 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
Interests: geobiology; astrobiology
Prof. Dr. Luigi Jovane

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo, Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, São Paulo, SP 05508-120, Brazil
Interests: magnetic methods; geophysical surveys; seismic methods; mineral exploration; rock physics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Carbonate sediments yield important information for understanding the evolution of environments, climate, and life through geological times. Therefore, gaining a deeper understanding of carbonate deposits is essential for unravelling some of the most controversial issues in Earth’s history, such as which biogeochemical processes characterized the earliest forms of life, what favored the proliferation of complex organisms, and how the biosphere and the geosphere have interacted through time. On the other hand, the identification of original biological and environmental fingerprints in carbonate sediments is complicated by post-depositional processes and the limited availability of modern analogs for some ancient geological periods. Important advances in the study of carbonate systems can come from the integration of different approaches and techniques of various disciplines, such as sedimentology, paleontology, geochemistry, and geobiology, among others. The integration of these methodologies facilitates the cross-referencing of data that can be mutually confirmed, as well as the interpretation of various features of carbonate archives. We invite the submission of contributions that address carbonate sediments and sedimentary processes from various perspectives in recent and past environments.

Dr. Martino Giorgioni
Prof. Dr. Luca Basilone
Dr. Tomaso Bontognali
Prof. Dr. Luigi Jovane
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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-blind 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

  • carbonate mineralization
  • carbonate geochemistry
  • biogenic carbonate
  • microbial mineralization
  • carbonate environments
  • carbonate diagenesis
  • carbonate proxies

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

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2 pages, 144 KiB  
Editorial
Editorial for Special Issue “Life and Carbonate: Biotic and Abiotic Fingerprints in Past and Recent Carbonate Sediments”
by Martino Giorgioni, Luca Basilone, Tomaso R. R. Bontognali and Luigi Jovane
Minerals 2025, 15(6), 599; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15060599 - 3 Jun 2025
Viewed by 248
Abstract
Carbonate sedimentary systems represent one of the best examples of interactions between the biosphere and the geosphere throughout geologic time [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Life and Carbonate: Biotic and Abiotic Fingerprints in Past and Recent Carbonate Sediments)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

17 pages, 2772 KiB  
Article
Trace Metal and Phosphorus Enrichments in Cyanobacteria Cells and Cyanobacterial Precipitated Minerals
by Hanna Leapaldt, Miquela Ingalls, Georgia Soares and Christopher H. House
Minerals 2025, 15(4), 378; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15040378 - 4 Apr 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 461
Abstract
The enrichment of trace metals and other life-essential elements, like phosphorus, in carbonates may be a signature of microbial life. Enrichments of such elements in microbial carbonate facies in the rock record have been attributed to life in previous studies, but the biologic [...] Read more.
The enrichment of trace metals and other life-essential elements, like phosphorus, in carbonates may be a signature of microbial life. Enrichments of such elements in microbial carbonate facies in the rock record have been attributed to life in previous studies, but the biologic origin of these enrichments is contentious. We experimentally tested the hypothesis that enrichments of life-important trace elements occur in both cells and carbonate minerals that form as a result of cellular photosynthesis for the cyanobacteria Synechococcus PCC 8806. We grew Synechococcus PCC 8806 and measured the trace element concentrations of the cells and the minerals that precipitate with the cells, and we compared the results to abiotically precipitated mineral material from the same growth medium conditions. We found that for all the tested trace elements (B, P, K, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, and Zn, chosen for their requirements in the growth medium of Synechococcus PCC 8806 and known uses in cellular machinery), nearly all the sample types were enriched relative to the medium concentrations. The dominant pattern for most elements was that cells were the most enriched, followed by biotic minerals, and then abiotic minerals. However, this pattern was complicated by varying concentrations of Mg in the mineral samples because the data were normalized to Mg (Mg was the dominant cation in the solution next to Na). Nonetheless, however the data are normalized, Fe was the most enriched element in the cells and both the biotic and abiotic minerals relative to the medium concentrations. Fe had the largest enrichment factor (E.F.) for all the sample types, with an E.F. of approximately 2800 in the biotic minerals, 1620 in the cells, and 230 in the abiotic minerals. Fe was followed by Zn (E.F. of ~329 in cells, 198 in biotic minerals, and 78 in abiotic minerals), Cu (E.F. of ~424 in cells, 171 in biotic minerals, and 50 in abiotic minerals), Mn (E.F. of ~200 in cells, 95 in biotic minerals, and 53 in abiotic minerals), and P (E.F. of ~149 in cells, 37 in biotic minerals, and 6 in abiotic minerals), suggesting that these elements can be useful as biosignatures when used in combination with other evidence. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Life and Carbonate: Biotic and Abiotic Fingerprints in Past and Recent Carbonate Sediments)
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17 pages, 16920 KiB  
Article
Lower Cretaceous Carbonate Sequences in the Northwestern Persian Gulf Basin: A Response to the Combined Effects of Tectonic Activity and Global Sea-Level Changes
by Yaning Wang, Qinqin Cong, Xuan Chen, Wei Huang, Rui Han and Gaoyang Gong
Minerals 2025, 15(4), 363; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15040363 - 31 Mar 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 431
Abstract
In the northern Persian Gulf Basin, a carbonate succession developed during the Berriasian–Valanginian of the Early Cretaceous, constituting an important reservoir in the Middle East. The genetic types of this succession are highly variable and controlled by sequence evolution. However, the sequence construction [...] Read more.
In the northern Persian Gulf Basin, a carbonate succession developed during the Berriasian–Valanginian of the Early Cretaceous, constituting an important reservoir in the Middle East. The genetic types of this succession are highly variable and controlled by sequence evolution. However, the sequence construction processes and sedimentary model evolution remain poorly understood. To analyze sedimentary models and sequence-controlling factors, this study examines sequence stratigraphic characteristics. The analysis is based on core thin sections, well logs, seismic data, and global sea-level records. The results indicate that: (1) During the Berriasian to Valanginian, one retrogradational sequence (SQ1) and three progradational sequences (SQ2–SQ4) were identified, arranged from bottom to top. The three sequences (SQ2 to SQ4) exhibit a vertically stacked progradational pattern towards the northeast. (2) SQ1 is dominated by shelf facies, while SQ2 to SQ4 are characterized by platform facies. Within each sequence (SQ2 to SQ4), the depositional environments transition from basin to slope, platform margin, and finally restricted platform facies. Specifically, during the SQ2 period, the platform margin had a low dip angle (<1.0°), indicating a gently sloping platform. In contrast, during the SQ3 to SQ4 sequences, the platform margin exhibited a steeper dip angle (1.2–1.5°), suggesting a rimmed platform. (3) SQ1 is governed by the global marine transgression during the Early Cretaceous, representing a global sea-level sequence. SQ2 to SQ4 are influenced by the combined effects of tectonic activities and sea-level changes, constituting tectonic/global sea-level change sequences. The transgressive sequences have developed high-quality source rocks, while the regressive sequences have formed extensive reservoirs, together creating favorable hydrocarbon source–reservoir assemblages. The reef and shoal distribution model developed in this study offers valuable insights for reservoir prediction. Additionally, the interpreted transgressive sequences may have global correlation potential. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Life and Carbonate: Biotic and Abiotic Fingerprints in Past and Recent Carbonate Sediments)
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19 pages, 10871 KiB  
Article
The Development of Dolomite Within a Sequence Stratigraphic Framework: Cambrian Series 2 Changping Formation, Xiaweidian, China
by Shan Zhong, Zhaoqian Liu, Zhenkui Jin, Hongyu Tian, Madaki Agwom Istifanus and Simon C. George
Minerals 2024, 14(12), 1189; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14121189 - 22 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1099
Abstract
The Lower Cambrian Changping Formation in the Western Hills of Beijing hosts tidal flat and lagoonal carbonates comprising dolomites, limestones, and dolomitic limestones, reflecting the processes of dolomite cementation and dolomitization within a sedimentary framework. Based on petrographic textures, two types of dolomites [...] Read more.
The Lower Cambrian Changping Formation in the Western Hills of Beijing hosts tidal flat and lagoonal carbonates comprising dolomites, limestones, and dolomitic limestones, reflecting the processes of dolomite cementation and dolomitization within a sedimentary framework. Based on petrographic textures, two types of dolomites were identified: microcrystalline dolomite and fine-mesocrystalline dolomite. Integrating petrological and geochemical data unveils two diagenetic stages. The initial dolomite formation, attributed to hypersaline fluids, occurred in a supratidal-sabkha setting during the early Cambrian. The dolomitization at the top of the Changping Formation, driven by evaporatively concentrated brines from the overlying Mantou Formation, altered peritidal carbonates. This study evaluates the original sedimentary environment and dolomitization within a sequence stratigraphic context, revealing a correlation between dolomitization episodes and the stratigraphic framework in the study area. Factors influencing this framework profoundly impact depositional environments and material composition, leading to micromorphological differences in dolomites. Sabkha dolomite formation, associated with evaporative pumping, predominates near the base of transgressive systems tracts. Seepage reflux dolomite, often linked with evaporative pumping dolomite, constitutes a vertical cycle in the sequence framework. The sequence from bottom to top is sabkha microcrystalline dolomite, limestone and dolomitic limestone, seepage reflux saccharoidal dolostone, and sabkha dolomite. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Life and Carbonate: Biotic and Abiotic Fingerprints in Past and Recent Carbonate Sediments)
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21 pages, 24393 KiB  
Article
Experimental vs. Natural Mineral Precipitation in Modern Microbialites: The Case Study of the Alkaline Bagno Dell’acqua Lake (Pantelleria Island, Italy)
by Michela Ingrassia, Aida Maria Conte, Cristina Perinelli, Luca Aldega, Letizia Di Bella, Cristina Mazzoni, Stefano Fazi, Francesco Giuseppe Falese, Tania Ruspandini, Agnese Piacentini, Benedetta Caraba, Andrea Bonfanti, Francesca Gori, Marino Domenico Barberio and Francesco Latino Chiocci
Minerals 2024, 14(10), 1013; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14101013 - 8 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1534
Abstract
Microbial activity has been documented in various lacustrine environments, suggesting its fundamental role in mineral precipitation and, therefore, in the formation of organo-deposits such as microbialites. Many studies are currently focused on documenting how the association of microbes and extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) [...] Read more.
Microbial activity has been documented in various lacustrine environments, suggesting its fundamental role in mineral precipitation and, therefore, in the formation of organo-deposits such as microbialites. Many studies are currently focused on documenting how the association of microbes and extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) may influence the authigenesis of Mg-rich clay minerals and the subsequent carbonate precipitation in growing microbialites in lacustrine environments. In this study, we investigate the present-day microbialites of the alkaline Bagno dell’Acqua lake (Pantelleria Island, Italy) using X-ray diffraction (XRD) scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Our results reveal the intimate association of Mg-smectite/carbonate minerals with the EPS and microbes, and, for the first time, we selected microbes belonging to phylum Firmicutes (Bacillus sp.), from natural microbialites, to carry out laboratory experiments that testify their direct role in the precipitation of clay and carbonate minerals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Life and Carbonate: Biotic and Abiotic Fingerprints in Past and Recent Carbonate Sediments)
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27 pages, 39970 KiB  
Article
The Middle Miocene Microfacies, Cyclicity, and Depositional History: Implications on the Marmarica Formation at the Siwa Oasis, Western Desert (Egypt)
by Mohamed A. Khalifa, Amr S. Zaky, Luigi Jovane, Ahmed M. El-Hewy, Esam Zahran and Atef M. Kasem
Minerals 2024, 14(1), 73; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14010073 - 8 Jan 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2217
Abstract
Microfacies studies were carried out on the Middle Miocene Marmarica Formation exposed at the Gabal Western Bahi El-Din and Gabal El-Najdeen, the Siwa Oasis, northwestern Desert (Egypt). It was distinguished into the lower, middle, and upper members. Eleven microfacies types were recognized, which [...] Read more.
Microfacies studies were carried out on the Middle Miocene Marmarica Formation exposed at the Gabal Western Bahi El-Din and Gabal El-Najdeen, the Siwa Oasis, northwestern Desert (Egypt). It was distinguished into the lower, middle, and upper members. Eleven microfacies types were recognized, which include skeletal lime-mudstone, dolomitic lime-mudstone, intraclastic wackestone, bryozoan wackestone, foraminiferal wackestone, foraminiferal bryozoan packstone, glauconitic molluscan packstone, molluscan intraclastic packstone, pelletal peloidal skeletal packstone, dolostones, and claystone microfacies. This formation includes several types of emergence- meter-scale cycles (shallowing-upward). Field observations and petrographic analyses revealed that these cycles consist of pure carbonates and mixed siliciclastic carbonates. These cycles consist of four types of gradual cycles and six types of non-gradual cycles. The gradual emergence cycles indicate a balance between the rate of subsidence, sea level oscillations, and sedimentation rate. The non-gradual cycles indicate an irregular balance between sedimentation rate and subsidence rate. The non-gradual cycles denote high-frequency sea level variation and/or short-term sea level oscillations, which are associated with high carbonate formation. The depositional environments of the Marmarica Formation are restricted to lagoonal at the base, followed upward to open marine conditions. Both environments most probably characterize the platform setting. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Life and Carbonate: Biotic and Abiotic Fingerprints in Past and Recent Carbonate Sediments)
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26 pages, 15897 KiB  
Article
Clumped Isotope Reordering and Kinetic Differences in Co-Hosted Calcite and Dolomite Minerals throughout Burial Diagenesis and Exhumation
by Qi Adlan, Stephen E. Kaczmarek and Cédric M. John
Minerals 2023, 13(12), 1466; https://doi.org/10.3390/min13121466 - 22 Nov 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2448
Abstract
The clumped isotope paleo-thermometer has become a valuable proxy for the burial history reconstruction of carbonate formations. To maximise the accuracy of these reconstructions, post-depositional alterations, such as recrystallisation and Δ47 isotope exchange reactions, must be understood. In this study, we examine [...] Read more.
The clumped isotope paleo-thermometer has become a valuable proxy for the burial history reconstruction of carbonate formations. To maximise the accuracy of these reconstructions, post-depositional alterations, such as recrystallisation and Δ47 isotope exchange reactions, must be understood. In this study, we examine the isotopic behaviour of calcites and early dolomite samples from the same stratigraphic intervals, and thus with similar burial history. This approach provides additional constraints on the kinetics of Δ47 reordering in dolomite during exhumation. Clumped isotope measurements were performed on 19 calcites and 15 early dolomites from the Permian, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods from four locations in Oman spanning different burial regimes. The calcite and dolomite samples were collected from the rock matrix, based on the assumption that fine material was more susceptible to recrystallisation. Our results show that calcites and dolomites record different Δ47 values despite being subjected to the same thermal history. The maximum Δ47 temperature recorded in dolomites (181 ± 13 °C) corresponds to the oldest and most deeply buried Permian rock. This value is approximately 35 °C higher than those measured in the co-located and coeval calcite matrix (145 ± 14 °C). This discrepancy suggests that calcite and dolomite have different kinetic parameters. Our data confirm (1) that dolomite Δ47 values are more resistant to alteration during burial and exhumation than Δ47 calcite values, and (2) that dolomite has a higher Δ47 closing temperature than calcite during cooling. The presence of two mineral phases with distinct kinetic parameters in the same stratigraphic unit provides additional constraints on models of burial and uplift. In addition, mineralogical data coupled with Δ47 and burial depths suggest that the progressive development of dolomite cation ordering is driven by temperature elevation, as previously suggested. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Life and Carbonate: Biotic and Abiotic Fingerprints in Past and Recent Carbonate Sediments)
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