Phosphatized bacteria from the cretaceous phosphorites of Syria, Palmyra region

Background. Phosphatized bacteria of various shapes and numerous structures resulting from their vital activity have been found in the Late Cretaceous (Campanian) of Palmyra phosphorites deposits in Syria. Despite their great importance in the formation of phosphorite deposits, these bacteria have n...

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Main Authors: M. Alzammar, E. A. Zhegallo
Format: Article
Language:Russian
Published: Sergo Ordzhonikidze Russian State University for Geological Prospecting 2023-09-01
Series:Известия высших учебных заведений: Геология и разведка
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Online Access:https://www.geology-mgri.ru/jour/article/view/917
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author M. Alzammar
E. A. Zhegallo
author_facet M. Alzammar
E. A. Zhegallo
author_sort M. Alzammar
collection DOAJ
description Background. Phosphatized bacteria of various shapes and numerous structures resulting from their vital activity have been found in the Late Cretaceous (Campanian) of Palmyra phosphorites deposits in Syria. Despite their great importance in the formation of phosphorite deposits, these bacteria have not been previously described in publications on Syrian phosphorites. This fact determines the relevance and originality of this study.   Aim. To identify and describe varieties of bacterial microfossils in Syrian phosphorites.   Materials and methods. The research material included the authors’ collection of phosphorites from the phosphate layers of the Alsharqiya quarry, thin sections for optical microscopy and samples for electron microscopic analysis. The photos of thin sections were obtained using a MIKMED-5 opticalmicroscope (Russia). A SEM analysis was conducted using a TESCAN VEGA-3, TESCAN VEGA-2 electron microscope (Czech Republic). A semi-quantitative elemental analysis of the sample composition was performed using an EVO-50 Zeiss electron microscope with an INCA Oxford 350 microanalyzer (UK). The samples were sputtered with gold.   Results. Five varieties of phosphatized bacteria, and five different structures formed as a result of their vital activity were identified. The internal structure of phosphate grains due to the activity of bacteria was established.   Conclusions. In addition to macrobionts (foraminifera, bivalves, bone remains, and other organic remains), a variety of bacteria were involved in the formation of Syrian phosphorites at the stage of sedimentation and diagenesis.
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institution Kabale University
issn 0016-7762
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publishDate 2023-09-01
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series Известия высших учебных заведений: Геология и разведка
spelling doaj-art-b055a2c69ff04f0bb7ac07c6056947862025-08-20T03:57:50ZrusSergo Ordzhonikidze Russian State University for Geological ProspectingИзвестия высших учебных заведений: Геология и разведка0016-77622618-87082023-09-0103182710.32454/0016-7762-2023-65-3-18-27550Phosphatized bacteria from the cretaceous phosphorites of Syria, Palmyra regionM. Alzammar0E. A. Zhegallo1Sergo Ordzhonikidze Russian State University for Geological ProspectingPaleontological Institute named after A. A. Borisyak of the RASBackground. Phosphatized bacteria of various shapes and numerous structures resulting from their vital activity have been found in the Late Cretaceous (Campanian) of Palmyra phosphorites deposits in Syria. Despite their great importance in the formation of phosphorite deposits, these bacteria have not been previously described in publications on Syrian phosphorites. This fact determines the relevance and originality of this study.   Aim. To identify and describe varieties of bacterial microfossils in Syrian phosphorites.   Materials and methods. The research material included the authors’ collection of phosphorites from the phosphate layers of the Alsharqiya quarry, thin sections for optical microscopy and samples for electron microscopic analysis. The photos of thin sections were obtained using a MIKMED-5 opticalmicroscope (Russia). A SEM analysis was conducted using a TESCAN VEGA-3, TESCAN VEGA-2 electron microscope (Czech Republic). A semi-quantitative elemental analysis of the sample composition was performed using an EVO-50 Zeiss electron microscope with an INCA Oxford 350 microanalyzer (UK). The samples were sputtered with gold.   Results. Five varieties of phosphatized bacteria, and five different structures formed as a result of their vital activity were identified. The internal structure of phosphate grains due to the activity of bacteria was established.   Conclusions. In addition to macrobionts (foraminifera, bivalves, bone remains, and other organic remains), a variety of bacteria were involved in the formation of Syrian phosphorites at the stage of sedimentation and diagenesis.https://www.geology-mgri.ru/jour/article/view/917phosphatized bacteriabacterial formsmicrobioliteselectron microscopyupper campanianphosphoritepalmyrasyria
spellingShingle M. Alzammar
E. A. Zhegallo
Phosphatized bacteria from the cretaceous phosphorites of Syria, Palmyra region
Известия высших учебных заведений: Геология и разведка
phosphatized bacteria
bacterial forms
microbiolites
electron microscopy
upper campanian
phosphorite
palmyra
syria
title Phosphatized bacteria from the cretaceous phosphorites of Syria, Palmyra region
title_full Phosphatized bacteria from the cretaceous phosphorites of Syria, Palmyra region
title_fullStr Phosphatized bacteria from the cretaceous phosphorites of Syria, Palmyra region
title_full_unstemmed Phosphatized bacteria from the cretaceous phosphorites of Syria, Palmyra region
title_short Phosphatized bacteria from the cretaceous phosphorites of Syria, Palmyra region
title_sort phosphatized bacteria from the cretaceous phosphorites of syria palmyra region
topic phosphatized bacteria
bacterial forms
microbiolites
electron microscopy
upper campanian
phosphorite
palmyra
syria
url https://www.geology-mgri.ru/jour/article/view/917
work_keys_str_mv AT malzammar phosphatizedbacteriafromthecretaceousphosphoritesofsyriapalmyraregion
AT eazhegallo phosphatizedbacteriafromthecretaceousphosphoritesofsyriapalmyraregion