Where & How Microbial Mats Form, Types of Mats, & Biosedimentary Structures | GEO GIRL

This is the first in a series of microbial zonation videos. In this one, we cover what microbial zonation is, that is the natural layering of microbial communities in soil and sediment environment and focus the rest of the video on microbial mats. We discuss why microbial mats form, where microbial mats form, how microbial mats form, the role of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and biofilms in microbial mat production, the similarities between microbial mats and multicellular organisms, the types of microbial mats (photosynthetic vs chemosynthetic mats, and anoxic vs oxic microbial mats), where microbial mats can be preserved, the sedimentary structures left behind by microbial mats, the difference between stromatolites and thrombolites, and which dominate(d) now and throughout Earth's history. Hope you enjoy! ;D References: Geomicrobiology: https://amzn.to/2WAloTR Biology of Microorganisms: https://amzn.to/3kQqIuD GEO GIRL Website: https://www.geogirlscience.com/ (visit my website to see all my courses, shop merch, learn more about me, and donate to support the channel if you'd like!) 0:00 Outline for microbial zonation videos 0:46 what is microbial zonation? 1:48 what are microbial mats? 2:55 where do microbial mats form? 4:01 how do microbial mats form? 6:49 the role of EPS in microbial mats 9:25 are microbial mats one organism? 10:16 types of microbial mats 11:36 photosynthetic microbial mats 16:30 anoxygenic photosynthetic microbial mats 18:13 chemosynthetic microbial mats 9:38 environments that preserve microbial mats 23:06 stromatolites vs thrombolites 24:32 upcoming videos & references! Hey there, Earth enthusiast! Check my favorite Earth-friendly products: Bamboo toilet paper: https://shrsl.com/3cvku Bamboo paper towels: https://shrsl.com/3cvkw Compostable tableware: https://shrsl.com/3cvkz Compostable trash bags: https://shrsl.com/3cvl0 Bamboo cutlery + straw! : https://shrsl.com/3cwfl Eco-Friendly Tote (great for grocery shopping!): https://shrsl.com/3cwfp Reusable straws + cleaning brushes (my fav!): https://shrsl.com/3cwft Eco-friendly laundry detergent: https://shrsl.com/3cwgo Directly offset your carbon footprint with Wren: https://shrsl.com/3d0t2 (Just click link, press get started, take the free C footprint quiz, then choose how much you want to reduce your footprint by donating to the C sequestration projects they're funding!) Non-textbook books I recommend: Oxygen by D. Canfield: https://amzn.to/3gffbCL Brief history of Earth by A. Knoll: https://amzn.to/3w3hC1I Life on young planet by A. Knoll: https://amzn.to/2RBMpny Some assembly required by N. Shubin: https://amzn.to/3w1Ezm2 Your inner fish by N. Shubin: https://amzn.to/3cpw3Wb Oxygen by N. Lane: https://amzn.to/3z4FgwZ Alien Oceans by K. Hand: https://amzn.to/3clMx1l Life's Engines: https://amzn.to/3w1Nhke Tools I use as a geologist/teacher/student: Geology field notebook: https://amzn.to/3lb6dJf Geology rock hammer: https://amzn.to/3DZw8MA Geological compass: https://amzn.to/3hfbdLu Geological hand lens: https://amzn.to/3jXysM5 Camera: https://amzn.to/3l6fGRT Carbon-neutral pencil bag: https://shrsl.com/3cvjv Carbon-neutral backpack: https://shrsl.com/3cvkc Disclaimer: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission, but there is no additional charge to you! Thank you for supporting my channel so I can continue to provide you with free content each week! And as always, let me know your topic suggestions in the comments down below!