Reshaping of sandstone surfaces by cryptoendolithic cyanobacteria: bioalkalization causes chemical weathering in arid landscapes

被引：102

作者：

Buedel, B. ^{[1
]}

Weber, B. ^{[1
]}

Kuhl, M. ^{[2
]}

Pfanz, H. ^{[3
]}

Sueltemeyer, D. ^{[1
]}

Wessels, D. ^{[4
]}

机构：

[1] Univ Kaiserslautern, Dept Biol, D-67653 Kaiserslautern, Germany

[2] Univ Copenhagen, Marine Biol Lab, Inst Biol, DK-3000 Helsingor, Denmark

[3] Univ Duisburg Essen, Dept Bio & Geo Sci, D-45117 Essen, Germany

[4] Univ North, Sch Mol & Life Sci, Dept Biodivers, ZA-0727 Sovenga, South Africa

来源：

GEOBIOLOGY | 2004年 / 2卷 / 04期

关键词：

D O I：

10.1111/j.1472-4677.2004.00040.x

中图分类号：

Q [生物科学];

学科分类号：

07 ; 0710 ; 09 ;

摘要：

We report a novel weathering mechanism in South African sandstone formations, where cryptoendolithic cyanobacteria induce weathering by substrate alkalization during photosynthesis. As a result, the upper rock part is loosened and then eroded away by physical forces such as wind, water, trampling. This special type of 'exfoliation' is widely distributed and affects the geomorphology of whole sandstone mountain ranges and outcrops across several biomes. We show, that this weathering type is initiated by bioalkalization because of the photosynthesis of cryptoendolithic (i.e. those organisms living in small tight open spaces between the sand grains) cyanobacteria causing pH values high enough to enhance silica solution in the cryptoendolithic zone. As modern cyanobacteria are the initial photoautotrophic colonizers of bare rocks in arid and semiarid landscapes, it is possible that they may also have played a significant role in shaping sandstone landscapes in the geological past.

引用

页码：261 / 268

页数：8

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