Microbial precipitation of dolomite in methanogenic groundwater

Research Article| April 01, 2004 Microbial precipitation of dolomite in methanogenic groundwater Jennifer A. Roberts; Jennifer A. Roberts 1Department of Geology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Philip C. Bennett; Philip C. Bennett 2Department of Geological Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Texas 78712, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Luis A. González; Luis A. González 3Department of Geology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar G.L. Macpherson; G.L. Macpherson 3Department of Geology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Kitty L. Milliken Kitty L. Milliken 4Department of Geological Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Texas 78712, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Jennifer A. Roberts 1Department of Geology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, USA Philip C. Bennett 2Department of Geological Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Texas 78712, USA Luis A. González 3Department of Geology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, USA G.L. Macpherson 3Department of Geology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, USA Kitty L. Milliken 4Department of Geological Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Texas 78712, USA Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 30 Sep 2003 Revision Received: 11 Dec 2003 Accepted: 12 Dec 2003 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (2004) 32 (4): 277–280. https://doi.org/10.1130/G20246.2 Article history Received: 30 Sep 2003 Revision Received: 11 Dec 2003 Accepted: 12 Dec 2003 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Jennifer A. Roberts, Philip C. Bennett, Luis A. González, G.L. Macpherson, Kitty L. Milliken; Microbial precipitation of dolomite in methanogenic groundwater. Geology 2004;; 32 (4): 277–280. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G20246.2 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 We report low-temperature microbial precipitation of dolomite in dilute natural waters from both field and laboratory experiments. In a freshwater aquifer, microorganisms colonize basalt and nucleate nonstoichiometric dolomite on cell walls. In the laboratory, ordered dolomite formed at near-equilibrium conditions from groundwater with molar Mg:Ca ratios of <1; dolomite was absent in sterile experiments. Geochemical and microbiological data suggest that methanogens are the dominant metabolic guild in this system and are integral to dolomite precipitation. We hypothesize that the attached microbial consortium reacts with the basalt surface, releasing Mg and Ca into solution, which drives dolomite precipitation via nucleation on the cell wall. These findings provide insight into the long-standing dolomite problem and suggest a fundamental role for microbial processes in the formation of dolomite across a wide range of environmental conditions. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.