This is a ScienceDaily article about the effect of microbes on sedimentary rock formation. It covers the process of calcium carbonate crystalization, the effect of microbes on that process, and how the interaction can be used to improve dating of sedimentary rocks and identify places/times when microbial life may have been present in the past. This article is geared for the general public and would be appropriate for high school or higher level students.
Subject: Biology, Biogeochemistry, Ecology, Ecology:Abiotic Relations, Metabolism, Biology:Evolution, Evolution:Patterns, Biology:Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science:Ecosystems, Ecosystems:Biogeochemical cycling, Geoscience:Biogeosciences , Geology:Mineralogy, Mineralogy:Crystal Chemistry, Biomineralogy, Geoscience:Geology:Sedimentary Geology, Sedimentary Geology:Sediments and Sedimentary Rocks, Sediments and Sedimentary Rocks:Carbonates , Geoscience:Geology:Sedimentary Geology:Sedimentary Structures, Geoscience:Paleontology Resource Type: Scientific Resources, Overview/Reference Work Grade Level: High School (9-12), College Lower (13-14), General Public Sediments/Sedimentary Rocks: Carbonates Theme: Teach the Earth:Course Topics:Biogeoscience, Environmental Science, Mineralogy, Sedimentary Geology, PaleontologyKeywords: microbial communities, geological record, calcium carbonate mineralization
