%0 Journal Article %A Orleansky, V. K. %A Raaben, E. A. %D 1999 %I Begell House %N 3 %P 108-114 %R 10.1615/InterJAlgae.v1.i3.110 %T A living laboratory model - an analogue of passive-branching columnar stromatolites %U https://www.dl.begellhouse.com/journals/7dd4467e7de5b7ef,225be7ab43caa3bf,3b2b87775b71da94.html %V 1 %X A model, an analog of a passive-branching stomatolite, was obtained for the first time under laboratory conditions. The branching of a laboratory stomatolite occurs due to uneven distribution of a mineral sediment over the algobacterial mat surface. In sites of high concentration of the sediment the growth of stromatolite-forming blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) was retarded and ceased. In sites where sedimentation was less active, the growth of mat continued, and new layers were formed. In the course of time the latter gradually built up and then were buried, one above the other, forming bundles or piles of layers in the shape of columns. This is seen well on vertical sections. %8 1999-06-01