Hydrothermal endobiosphere in the Miocene-Pliocene lava piles of Iceland as evidenced by mineral structures

Alfred R. Geptner; Hrefna Kristmannsdottir

doi:10.1117/12.486687

30 January 2003 Hydrothermal endobiosphere in the Miocene-Pliocene lava piles of Iceland: evidenced by minderal structures

Alfred R. Geptner, Hrefna Kristmannsdottir

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 4939, Instruments, Methods, and Missions for Astrobiology VI; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.486687
Event: Instruments, Methods, and Missions for Astrobiology V, 2002, Moscow, Russian Federation

Abstract

In this paper, the microscopic textures of clay minerals resemble of recent biomorphous layer silicate precipitates are described and the possible environment for their formation discussed. Fossilized biomorphous-like microstructures in clay precipitates in the Miocene and Pliocene basalt piles were identified by comparison with published data on bacterial forms, both living and fossilized. The sizes, shapes, and fabric of the mineral precipitates are the key factors in a successful analysis of biomorphous-like microstructures. The studied morphological types of biomorphous-like microstructures were: rod-like, spheres, filaments, hemispheres and films. The nature of formerly existing hydrothermal systems in the lava piles, has been reconstructed by studies of the present mineral paragenesis and by the analogy with modern hydrothermal mineral precipitation.

Citation Download Citation

Alfred R. Geptner and Hrefna Kristmannsdottir "Hydrothermal endobiosphere in the Miocene-Pliocene lava piles of Iceland: evidenced by minderal structures", Proc. SPIE 4939, Instruments, Methods, and Missions for Astrobiology VI, (30 January 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.486687

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

;

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE