Microbial euendoliths (true borer) cyanobacteria are carbonate-boring microorganisms found in modern and ancient marine environments. Modern euendoliths include a wide range of prokaryotes as well as eukaryotes, which have been reported world-wide. The importance of euendolithic cyanobacteria concerns their role in bio-erosion of calcium carbonate substrates and as ecological indicators of shallow, tropical and subtropical marine environments. Arabian Gulf ooids from four sites along the east coast of Saudi Arabia have been bored and inhabited by several species of euendolithic cyanobacteria. This assemblage of different species exists simultaneously within the same ooid grain. Comparisons of 1989 and 1992 data reveal a drastic reduction in active euendoliths, and the average numbers of colonies in these ooids. This study reveals the harmful effect of the 1991 oil spill on these unique microorganisms residing in these ooids.
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J Phycol
December 2022
Coastal Research Group, Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Makhanda (Grahamstown), South Africa, 6139.
Euendolithic, or true-boring, cyanobacteria actively erode carbonate-containing substrata in a wide range of environments and pose significant risks to calcareous marine fauna. Their boring activities cause structural damage and increase susceptibility to disease and are projected to only intensify with global climate change. Most research has, however, focused on tropical coral systems, and limited information exists on the global distribution, diversity, and substratum specificity of euendoliths.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Microbiol
July 2022
State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, College of Oceanology, Hainan University, Haikou, China.
Shellfish, mussels, snails, and other aquatic animals, which assimilate limestone (calcium carbonate, CaCO) to build shells and skeletons, are effective carbon sinks that help mitigate the greenhouse effect. However, bioerosion, the dissolution of calcium carbonate and the release of carbon dioxide, hinders carbon sequestration process. The bioerosion of aquatic environments remains to be elucidated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicroorganisms
February 2020
School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, 85282 AZ, USA.
Photosynthetic endolithic communities are common in shallow marine carbonates, contributing significantly to their bioerosion. Cyanobacteria are well known from these settings, where a few are euendoliths, actively boring into the virgin substrate. Recently, anoxygenic phototrophs were reported as significant inhabitants of endolithic communities, but it is unknown if they are euendoliths or simply colonize available pore spaces secondarily.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS One
April 2020
Center for Life NanoScience@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy.
Black patinas are very common biological deterioration phenomena on lapideous artworks in outdoor environments. These substrates, exposed to sunlight, and atmospheric and environmental agents (i.e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNat Commun
October 2017
School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA.
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