Una nueva ultraestructura de ópalo CT en silcretas. Posible indicador de influencia bacteriana

Abstract

Electron microscope observations of opaline silcretes found in the playa of a Miocene shallow lake reveal new opal CT microstructures. These microstructures are made up of fibres, filaments or rods, which are formed, in tum by coalesced microspheres or microhemispheres (0,1-0,2 µ diameter). They are up to 10 µ in length although larger ones could exist. They are straight, bent, wavy or even hairpin shaped. These microstructures comprise part of the opaline mass of the silcretes and are very similar to both neogenic opaline structures which are formed by bacterial intluence and to silicified biofilms. Therefore microbial mediation could exist in the genesis of this opal CT, although a possible inorganic origin by silicification of sepiolite is also considered.