Microbial Control on Lamina Formation in a Travertine of Crystal Geyser, Utah

Travertines – carbonates mostly precipitated in situ from calcareous hot-spring water – often show stromatolitic lamination which has been interpreted as daily banding (Folk et al. 1985; Guo and Riding 1992; Pentecost 1994). Prevailing interpretation for the daily rhythm has tied up with photosynthesis of cyanobacteria and algae living on the travertine surface.