Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Microbial carbonate crusts-a key to the environmental analysis of fossil spongiolites?

  • Published:
Facies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Morphological and geochemical comparisons between modern cryptic microbialites from Lizard Island/Great Barrier Reef and fossil counterparts in the Upper Jurassic (Southern Germany, Dobrogea/Romania) and late Lower Cretaceous (Aptian/Albian from Cantabria/Spain) spongiolitic environments show that there are common factors controlling the crust formations mostly independent of light despite of diverging (paleo-) oceanographic positions as well as relationships of competitors. Factors such as increased alkalinity, oligotrophy, and reduced allochthonous deposition are of major importance. Thrombolitic microbialites are interpreted as biologically induced and therefore calcified in isotopic equilibrium with the surrounding sea water. Corresponding with shallowing upward cycles, microbial mats which produce stromatolitic peloidal crusts become more important. Different biomarkers are introduced for the first time extracted and analyzed from spongiolitic limestones of Lower Kimmeridgian age from Southern Germany.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aldinger, H. (1968): Ecology of algal-sponge reefs in the Upper Jurassic of the Schwäbische Alb, Germany.—In:Müller, G. &Zankl, H. (eds.): Recent developments in carbonate sedimentology in central Europe.—250–253, Berlin (Springer)

    Google Scholar 

  • Andrews, J.E. (1986): Microfacies and geochemistry of Middle Jurassic algal limestones from Scotland.—Sedimentology,33/4, 499–520, Oxford

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bausch, W.M. (1963): Der obere Malm an der unteren Altmühl nebst einer Studie über das Riff-Problem.-Erlanger geol.Abh., 49: 38 p.; Erlangen

  • Brachert, T. (1986): Kontinuierliche und diskontinuierliche Sedimentation im süddeutschen Oberjura (unteres Kimmeridge; Ludwag/Oberfranken, Nördliche Frankenalb).—Facies,15, 133–284, Erlangen

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brachert, T. &Dullo Ch. (1991): Laminar micrite crusts and associated foreslope processes, Red Sea.—J. Sed. Petrol.,61 (3):354–363, Lawrence

    Google Scholar 

  • Burne, R.V. &Moore, L.S. (1987): Microbialites: Organosedimentary deposits of benthic microbial communities.— Palaios,2, 241–254, Lawrence

    Google Scholar 

  • Flügel, E. &Steiger, T. (1981): An Upper Jurassic sponge-algal buildup from the Northern Frankenalb, West Germany.—Soc. Econ. Paleont. Min., Spec.Publ.,30, 371–397, Tulsa

    Google Scholar 

  • Fritz, G.K. (1958): Schwammstotzen, Tuberolithe und Schuttbreccien im Weißen Jura der Schwäbischen Alb.—Arb. Geol.-Paläont. Inst. TH Stuttgart, N.F.,13, 118 pp., Stuttgart

  • Gaillard, C. (1983): Les biohermes à spongiaires et leur environment dans l’Oxfordien du Jura Meridional.—Doc. Lab. Géol. Lyon,90, 515 pp., Lyon

    Google Scholar 

  • Geyer, O.F. (1962): Über Schwammgesteine (Spongiolith, Tuberolith, Spiculit und Gaizit).—Hermann Aldinger Festschrift, 51–66, Stuttgart (chweizerbart)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gwinner, M. (1976): Origin of the Upper Jurassic of the Swabian Alb.—Contrib. Sedimentol.,5, 1–75, Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

  • Gygi, R. (1992): Structure, pattern of distribution and paleobathymetry of Late Jurassic microbialites (stromatolites and oncoids) in northern Switzerland.—Eclogae geol. Helv.,85/3, 799–824, Basel

    Google Scholar 

  • Gygi, R. &Persoz, F. (1986): Mineralostratigraphy, litho- and biostratigraphy combined in correlation of the Oxfordian (Late Jurassic) formations of the Swiss Jura range.—Eclogae geol. Helv.,79/2, 385–454, Basel

    Google Scholar 

  • Gygi, R. &Persoz, F. (1987): The epicontinental sea of Swabia (southern Germany) in the Late Jurassic—factors controlling sedimentation.—N. Jb. Geol. Paläont. Abh.,17/1, 49–65, Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

  • Hiller, K. (1964): Über die Bank- und Schwammfazies des Weißen Jura der Schwäbischen Alb (Württemberg).—Arb. Geol. Paläont. Inst. TH Stuttgart, N.F.40, 190 pp., Stuttgart

  • Hummel, P. (1960): Petrographie, Gliederung und Diagenese der Kalke im oberen Weißjura der Schwäbischen Alb.—Arb. Geol. Paläont. Inst. TH Stuttgart, N.F.26, 86 pp., Stuttgart

  • James, N.P. & Ginsburg, R.N. (1979): The seaward margin of Belize Barrier and Atoll reefs: morphology, sedimentology, organisms distribution and late Quaterny history.—Int. Ass. Sed., Spec. Publ.,3, 191 pp.

  • Kempe, S. (1990): Alkalinity: the link between anaerobic basins and shallow water carbonates?—Naturwissenschaften,77/4 26–427, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Keupp, H., Koch, R. &Leinfelder, R. (1990): Steuerungsprozesse der Entwicklung von Oberjura-Spongiolithen Süddeutschlands: Kenntnisstand, Probleme und Perspektiven.—Facies, 23, 141–174, Erlangen

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kott, R. (1989): Fazies und Geochemie des Treuchtlinger Marmors (Unter- und Mittelkimmeridge, Südlichen Frankenalb.),— Berliner geowiss. Abh.,A 111, 115 pp., Berlin

  • Land, L.S. &Goreau, T.F. (1970): Submarine lithification of Jamaican Reefs.—J. Sed. Petrol.,40, 457–462, Tulsa

    Google Scholar 

  • Lang, B. (1989): Die Schwamm-Biohermfazies der Nördlichen Frankenalb (Urspring; Oxford, Malm): Mikrofazies, Palökologie Paläontologie.—Facies,20, 199–274, Erlangen

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leinfelder, R. (1992): A Modern-type Kimmeridgian reef (Ota Limestone, Portugal): Implications for Jurassic reef models.— Facies,26, 11–34, Erlangen

    Google Scholar 

  • Leinfelder, R., Krautter, M. & Werner, W. (1992, unpublished): Vergleichende Palökologie und Faziesentwicklung oberjurassischer Riff-Strukturen des westlichen Tethys-Nordrandes und des Lusitanischen Beckens.—DFG Round Table, Neustadt, 13–14.2 1992

  • Lohmann, K.C. (1988): Geochemical patterns of meteoric, diagenetic systems and their application to paleokarst.—In:Choquette, P.W. &James, N.P. (eds.): Paleokarst.—58–80; New York (Springer)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowenstam, H.A. (1981): Minerals formed by organisms.—Science,211, 1126–1131, Washington

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Macintyre, I.G. (1984): Extensive submarine lithification in a cave in the Belize barrier reef platform.—J. Sed. Petrol.54, 221–235, Tulsa

    Google Scholar 

  • Macintyre, I.G. & Marshall, J.F. (1988): Submarine lithification in coral reefs: some facts and misconceptions.—In: Proc., 5th Intern. Coral Reef Symp., Townsville,2: 1–10, Townsville

  • McConnaughey, T. (1989):13C and18O isotopic disequilibrium in biological carbonates: II In vitro simulation of kinetic isotope effects.—Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta,53:163–171, Oxford

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meder, K. (1989): Mikrofazies und Diagenese der Karbonatgesteine des höheren Malms in der Bohrung Saulgau GB 3.—Abh. geol. LA Baden-Württemberg,13, 139–160; Freiberg

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyer, R.K.F. (1975): Mikrofazielle Untersuchungen in Schwamm-Biohermen und-Biostromen des Malm Epsilon (Ober-Kimmeridge) und obersten Malm Delta der Frankenalb.— Geol. Bl. NO-Bayern,25/4, 149–177, Erlangen

    Google Scholar 

  • — (1977): Mikrofazies im Übergangsbereich von der Schwammzur Korallen-Spongiomorphiden-Fazies im Malm von Regensburg bis Kelheim.—Geol. Jb.,A 37:33–69, Hannover

    Google Scholar 

  • — (1978): Massenkalkfazies.—In: Weber, K.: Erläuterungen zur geol. Karte Bayern, 1∶25000, Bl. 7137 Abensberg: 26–38; München (Bayer.geol.LA)

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyer, R.K.F. &Schmidt-Kaler, H. (1983): Erdgeschichte sichtbar gemacht, Ein geologischer Führer durch die Altmühlalb. —260 pp., München (Bayer. Geol. LA)

    Google Scholar 

  • Müller, W. (1991): Observations on the Jurassic hexactinellid spongeTremadictyon radicatum (Quenstedt).—In:Reitner, J. &Keupp, H. (eds.): Fossil and Recent Sponges.—36–42; Berlin (Springer)

    Google Scholar 

  • Neuweiler, F. (1993): Development of Albian microbialites and microbialite reefs (former mud mounds) at platform to basin transitional zones of the Vasco-Cantabrian Basin (Soba reef area, Cantabria, N Spain).—Facies,29, this volume

  • Nitzopoulos, G. (1974): Faunistisch-ökologische, stratigraphische und sedimentologische Untersuchungen am Schwammstotzen-Komplex bei Spielberg am Hahnenkamm (Ober Oxfordien, Südliche Frankenalb).—Stuttgarter Beitr. Naturkde., Ser. B,16, 143 pp., Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

  • Pomoni-Papaioannou, F., Flügel, E. &Koch, R. (1989): Depositional environments and diagenesis of Upper Jurassic subsurface sponge- andTubiphytes reef limestones: Altensteig 1 Well, Western Molasse Basin, Southern Germany.—Facies,21, 263–284, Erlangen

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ponsot, C.M. &Vail, P.R. (1991): Sequence stratigraphy of the Jurassic: New data from the Paris-London Basin.—Abstr. 28 (48), EUG VI Congr., Strassbourg

    Google Scholar 

  • Rehfeld-Kiefer, U. (1992): Mikrofazies-Entwicklung eines Spongiolith-Körpers in der Kernbohrung 120 (Mittel-Kimmeridge, Eybtal).—Bericht zum DFG-Projekt Ke 322/10-1, Teilprojekt 1: 1–9.—Berlin (unpublished).

    Google Scholar 

  • Reitner, J. (1987): Mikrofazielle, palökologische und palägeographische Analyse ausgewählter Vorkommen flachmariner Karbonate im Basko-kantabrischen strike slip fault-Becken-System (Nordspanien) an der Wende von der Unterkreide zur Oberkreide.—Documenta Naturae,40, 239 pp.

  • Reitner, J. (1993): Modern cryptic metazoan/microbialite-community of the Lizard island Section (Great Barrier Reef; Australia)— Telescoped ultraconservative deeper water benthic community with affinities to Tethyan Lower Cretaceous ones.— Facies,29, this volume

  • Reitner, J. &Keupp, H. (1991): The fossilrecord of the haplosclerid excavating spongeAka de Laubenfelds.—In:Reitner, J. &Keupp, H. (eds.), Fossil and Recent Sponges.—102–120; Berlin (Springer)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schorr, M. &Koch, R. (1985): Fazieszonierung eines oberjurassischen Algen-Schwamm-Bioherms (Herrlingen, Schwäbische Alb).—Facies,13, 227–270, Erlangen

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stoffers, P. &Botz, R. (1990): Carbonate crusts in the Red Sea: their composition and isotope geochemistry.—In:Ittekot, V., Kempe, S., Michaelis, W. &Spitzy, A., Facets of modern biogeochemistry.—242–252, Berlin (Springer)

    Google Scholar 

  • Vail, P.R., Mitchum, R.L. &Thompson III, S (1977): Seismic stratigraphy and global changes of sea level.—Part IV: Global cycles and relative changes of sea level.—Amer. Ass. Petrol. Geol. Mem., 26, 83–97, Boulder

    Google Scholar 

  • Wagenplast, P. (1972): Ökologische Untersuchungen der Fauna aus Bank- und Schwammfazies des Weißen Jura der Schwäbischen Alb.—Arb. Geol. Paläont. Inst. TH Stuttgart, N.F.,67, 99 pp., Stuttgart

  • Wefer, G. &Berger, W.H. (1991): Isotope paleontology: growth and composition of extant calcareous species.—Marine Geology,100, 207–248, Amsterdam

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wirsing, G. (1988): Mikrofazielle und diagenetische Entwicklung einer oberjurassischen Karbonatabfolge (Weißjura beta bis delta 4, Mittlere Schwäbische Alb) mit Berücksichtigung der chemischen Diagenese ausgewählter karbonatischer Bestandteile. —Heidelberger geowiss Abh.,15, 337+53 pp., Heidelberg

    Google Scholar 

  • Wirsing, G. &Koch, R. (1986): Algen-Schwamm-Bioherme des Flachwasser-Bereiches (Schwäbische Alb, Weißjura Delta 3).—Facies,14, 285–308, Erlangen

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zankl, H. (1993): Facies29, this volume

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Paläontologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Malteserstr. 74-100, Haus D, D-12249, Berlin, Germany

    Helmut Keupp, Regina Herrmann, Fritz Neuweiler &  Joachim Reitner

  2. Institut für Biogeochemie und Meereschemie, Universität Hamburg, Bundesstraße 55, D-20146, Hamburg

    Angela Jenisch

Authors
  1. Helmut Keupp
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Angela Jenisch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Regina Herrmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Fritz Neuweiler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Joachim Reitner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Keupp, H., Jenisch, A., Herrmann, R. et al. Microbial carbonate crusts-a key to the environmental analysis of fossil spongiolites?. Facies 29, 41–54 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02536916

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02536916

Keywords

Search

Navigation