Living in Their Heyday: Iron-Oxidizing Bacteria Bloomed in Shallow-Marine, Subtidal Environments at ca. 1.88 Ga.

ABSTRACT: The majority of large iron formations (IFs) were deposited leading up to Earth's great oxidation episode (GOE). Following the GOE, IF deposition decreased for almost 500 Myr. Subsequently, around 1.88 Ga, there was widespread deposition of shallow-water granular iron formations (GIF) within a geologically short time interval, which has been linked to enhanced iron (Fe) supply to seawater from submarine hydrothermal venting associated with the emplacement of large igneous provinces. Previous studies of Fe-rich, microfossil-bearing stromatolites from the ca. 1.88 Ga Gunflint Formation on the Superior craton suggested direct microbial oxidation of seawater Fe²⁺ _(aq) by microaerophilic, Fe-oxidizing bacteria (FeOB), as a driver of GIF deposition. Although Fe-rich, microfo

SUBMITTER: Kovalick A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11621254 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature