Algal mats are one of many types of microbial mat that forms on the surface of water or rocks. They are typically composed of blue-green cyanobacteria and sediments. Formation occurs when alternating layers of blue-green bacteria and sediments are deposited or grow in place, creating dark-laminated layers.

Jan 1, 2014 · Studies of contemporary stromatolites demonstrate the complex hydrologic, biologic, and sedimentologic interactions that take place in the formation, degradation, and ultimate preservation of coastal algal mats.

Jun 13, 2022 · Our findings suggest that fleshy red algae mats can act as alternative habitats and temporary sessile invertebrate biodiversity reservoirs in times of environmental change.

Algal mats dominated by cyanobacteria, for example, can attain very high biomass and persist for extended periods without sloughing (Peterson and Grimm, 1992), presumably because many species within this group can grow heterotrophically (see Tuchman, Chapter 10), fix atmospheric nitrogen, and engage in anoxygenic photosynthesis (Lee, 1980).

Recognizable algal stromatolites are more validly treated as organosedimentary structures than fossil organisms. This paper proposes a new classification of algal stromatolite structures based upon their geometric forms and relates these forms …

Felt-like mats of microscopic, single-celled, blue-green algae or algal mats are prolific on the flats. They are most extensive on areas that alternate exposure and submergence in regular cycles. On the ground, the algal mats appear as very dark areas surrounding the lagoon.

An algal mat is a cahesive fabric of filaments, often tissue-like, producerl by a community of microorganisms and associated with sediment (Logan et al., 1964; Golubic,

The algae form a cohesive mat that tends to cover intertidal, supratidal, and some shallow subtidal surfaces. The mat is differentiated into seven intergradational types as an expression of variations in algal species present, ratio of filamentous to unicellular forms, quantity of mucilaginous matrix, life habits, and quantity and nature of the ...

Understanding the nature and causes of blooms, scums and mats will help explain why their control is so difficult and why long-term, preventative measures are essential to reducing problematic algal growths. Nutrients may be added to waters intentionally, as in the case of ponds that are fertilized or where fish are fed to augment fish production.

Approximately 3 billion years ago, long before multicellular organisms roamed the earth, lush mounds of algae began to thrive along warm, shallow shorelines. These algal mats trapped sediment, which built up layer by layer into dome-shaped mounds. Such mounds are …