The archaeal lipid composition of partially lithified cold seep mats

The anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM), by converting methane to bicarbonate which is then precipitated as extensive carbonate crusts, is an important methane sink in the Earth’s ocean systems. Here we employ a multidisciplinary approach to investigate the role of microorganisms in carbonate precipitation using biomarker analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction. We examined two microbial mats from the Black Sea and found that one comprised carbonate in both aragonite and Mg calcite forms and most likely ANME-1 archaea, whereas the other contained only Mg calcite and most likely ANME-2 archaea. We conclude, as have others, that the different microbial communities could impart different influences on carbonate mineralogy and morphology. Although further research is needed, this is a contribution to our understanding of those relationships, which could prove critical in the interpretation of ancient sedimentary deposits.