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Mineralization of a Proterozoic Sulfide Black Smoker Chimney and Thermophilous Microorganisms in Eastern Hebei, China
Author(s) -
Xuehui XIA,
Wei LIAN,
Congjian YUAN,
Fei YAN,
Jiazhong YUAN
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
acta geologica sinica ‐ english edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.444
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1755-6724
pISSN - 1000-9515
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-6724.2008.tb00640.x
Subject(s) - sulfide , geology , proterozoic , mineralization (soil science) , geochemistry , chimney (locomotive) , algae , microorganism , chemocline , environmental chemistry , chemistry , bacteria , botany , oceanography , paleontology , biology , organic chemistry , soil water , soil science , inlet , tectonics
A sulfide black smoker chimney exists in the Gaobanhe seabed exhalation massive sulfide deposit in the Xinglong‐Kuancheng secondary fault basin of the Proterozoic Yanliao rift trough in Hebei Province, taking the shape of mounds, individually about 2–3 cm high. Abundant fossils of thermophilous bacteria and algae in perfect preservation are found in the ore surrounding the black smoker chimney. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and molecular biomarker studies on the microorganismal ore fabric show that the microorganism in the sulfide ore is in fact a sedimentary product of probiotic bacteria and algae. In the special food chain based on black smoker chimney at ancient seabed‐ thermophilous bacteria, the thermophilous bacteria and algae reproduce in large quantity. Intermittently erupting of fluid from the chimney creats conditions for formation of sulfide deposit. In the process of exhalation action of hot fluid, thermophilous bacteria and algae grow and reproduce around the sulfide black smoker chimney, absorbing mineralizing substances brought by the fluid. Massive sulfide deposits are formed in this process of absorption of seabed black smoker chimney exhalation‐mineralizing fluid pulsation‐thermophilous microorganism.