Microbialitelike structures in Cladophora sp. (Ulvophyceae) mats from a subtropical Andean basin: ecological implications.

HUGO R. FERNÁNDEZ; ANA L. GONZÁLEZ ACHEM; MARCELA CORREA; VIRGINIA H. ALBARRACÍN

REVISTA DE BIOLOGíA TROPICAL

REVISTA DE BIOLOGIA TROPICAL

Lugar: Turrialba; Año: 2019 vol. 67 p. 83 - 93

0034-7744

Abstract: The solubility equilibrium of calcite is influenced by physicochemical, climatic and biological factors.Annual cycles of exceptionally prolonged drought, in conjunction with naturally occurring diffuse organic pollution,generate the unique conditions for the precipitation of lithified carbonate structures (microbialites). The aimof this article is to analyze the possible implications of calcite precipitation produced in mats of Cladophora sp.in an Andean subtropical basin, considering it is the first time this phenomenon is described for the region. Wecollected samples from selected sites at the Lules River Basin, in four sampling dates between the years 2003and 2004, within a monitoring work of 15 years. Samples were analyzed using an electron microscope and X-raydiffraction analysis. We found that Gomphonema sp. attached to Cladophora sp. contributes to precipitation ofcalcite and formation of microbialite like structures, in the studied area. This work presents an initial discussionof the discovery of microbialites-like structures attached to Cladophora sp. mats in a subtropical Andean streamand the environmental conditions that lead to their production, as well as the possible ecological implicationsof these microbialites.