Elements redistribution between organic and mineral parts of microbial mats: SR-XRF research (Baikal Rift Zone)

In article minerals formation and elements accumulation in microbial mats of some hot springs of the Barguzin basin (Baikal Rift Zone) is discussed. The content of a wide spectrum of elements in microbial mats is studied by means of the method SR-XRF. Regularity of elements accumulation by community depending on geochemical features of hot spring's waters are discussed. These elements are distributed in different ways between organic and mineral substance of the microbial mats. The distribution of K, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Fe is regular, Ca, Rb, Sr are almost totally related with the mats mineral part, while Ga, Ge and Br are accumulated in mats organic substance. Germanium element is concentrated in considerable amounts in the cyanobacterial communities, that develop in sulphideless springs with a higher radon concentration.