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Discovery in Namibia: Microbes create mysterious tubes!
Under the direction of Prof. Dr. Cees Passchier from the University of Mainz in Namibia discovered microstructures that could have been created by microorganisms.
Discovery in Namibia: Microbes create mysterious tubes!
Researchers from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz have discovered extremely unusual structures in marble and limestone in desert areas of Namibia, Oman and Saudi Arabia. These structures, which are described as small tubes, run through the rock in a parallel arrangement and represent a fascinating connection between geology and microbiology. During geological field work under the direction of Prof. Dr. Cees Passchier discovered the tubes, which are about half a millimeter wide and up to three centimeters long and form bands up to ten meters long. uni-mainz.de reported that remnants of biological material were found, suggesting that microorganisms may have perforated the rock.
The discovery of these structures raises countless questions: Are the microorganisms responsible for this remarkable geology extinct or perhaps they still exist? Prof. Passchier, who has been researching in Namibia for 25 years and is particularly concerned with the geological reconstruction of Precambrian rocks, has only found limited evidence of life in these rocks in his previous ventures. The first discoveries in Namibia date back 15 years ago, but only now do the anatomical features of the tubes seem to be more fully understood.
Biological and chemical processes
The obtained tubes are filled with fine calcium carbonate powder, indicating nutrient utilization by microorganisms. This approach is reinforced by the morphology of carbonate surfaces, which create chemical conditions that are significantly different from those of silicate rocks. Loud schweizerbart.de The solubility of limestone to organic acids is higher, allowing microorganic life forms to live endolithically by precisely mining the rock and creating complex architecture. Exopolymeric substances in the biofilm protect these structures from external stress factors.
The microbial communities appear to be able to fix essential chemical elements for their metabolism without relying on elements from the substrate. This suggests that the biofilms may exert a protective influence on the rock surface while helping to maintain biochemical balance.
Future visions of research
The significance of these discoveries extends beyond geology and could have far-reaching implications for understanding the global carbon cycle. Prof. Passchier hopes that future research on these microorganisms will provide insightful insights that expand our knowledge of ancient and contemporary ecological systems.
In addition, work is being carried out at the Mützenberg Campus in Jena to examine biological samples using innovative microscopy techniques. The application of extreme ultraviolet light for high-resolution microscopy could revolutionize the identification of subcellular structures, such as iap.uni-jena.de describes.
This was made possible through interdisciplinary collaboration, which was awarded the Science Prize of the Mützenberg-Campus Jena e.V. for excellent cooperation. Such technological advances could be crucial to further deepen the understanding of the interaction between microorganisms and mineral substrates and thus develop more targeted cures for diseases in the future.