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Traits of Biomorphic Structure Formation in Kamchatka Geyserites

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Abstract

Microstructures of silicic rocks shaped by the activity of thermophilic bacterial communities in active volcanism areas of Kamchatka are described in the present article. The role of microorganisms as a special matrix that accelerates the formation of microlayered rocks of mixed chemogenic and biogenic origin is demonstrated. The authors suggest the term “biosilicites” for such rocks.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work was partially supported by the Program of the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences “The evolution of the organic world and planetary processes” (subprogram II) and the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (project nos. 15-04-00774, 16‑04-00758, and 17-04-00324).

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Correspondence to E. A. Zhegallo, L. V. Zaytseva, O. S. Samylina or G. A. Karpov.

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Translated by S. Semenova

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Zhegallo, E.A., Zaytseva, L.V., Orleansky, V.K. et al. Traits of Biomorphic Structure Formation in Kamchatka Geyserites. Paleontol. J. 52, 1172–1178 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0031030118100155

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