Holozäne Stromatolithe in Süßwasserlagunen, Yucatan Halbinsel, SE-Mexico

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Eberhard Gischler
• Subject Area: Palaeontology
• Term: from 2006 to 2010
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 24390929

• Final Report Year: 2010

Final Report Abstract

The microbialite occurrence of freshwater Laguna Bacalar is among the largest of the world. Domes, ledges, and crusts of calcified microbial mats are largely thrombolitic and the result of calcium carbonate precipitation triggered by high carbonate content in lagoon water. In addition, flushing/current speed is of importance as the largest heads occur In high-current locations. Shoreline morphology determines accomodation space and controls the occurrence of ledges in high-angle shorelines, crusts in low-angle shorelines, and heads/domes in intermediate-angle shorelines. Using microbiological investigations, three types of mats were identified including a Calothrix mat, a Scytonema mat, and a Leptolyngbya mat.

Publications

• (2008): Giant freshwater microbialites in Laguna Bacalar, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico.- International Kaikowsky Symposium "Geobiology of Stromatolites" Göttingen, Talk
  Gischler, E., Gibson, M.A. & Oschmann, W.
  
• (2008): Giant Holocene freshwater microbialites, Laguna Bacalar, Quintana Roo, Mexico.- Sedimentology, 55: 1293- 1309
  Gischler, E., Gibson, M.A. & Oschmann, W.
  
• (2008): Preliminary interpretation of a stromatolite field in Laguna Bacalar, Quintana Roo, Mexico.- Geological Society of America, Geological Society of America, Southeastern Section, 56th Annual Meeting, Talk
  Gibson, M.A., Gischler, E. & Oschmann, W.
  
• (2008): Preliminary interpretation of a stromatolite field In Laguna Bacalar, Quintana Roo, Mexico.- Talk
  Gibson; M.A., Gischler, E. & Oschmann, W.