Section
Physical Sciences
Abstract
Thin bed of algal stromatolites and oolites occur within a distinct stratigraphic unit (60-120 m thick) in the Late Permian (Karoo) lacustrine sedimetns of the Ruhuhu Basin in SW Tanzania. The stromatolites vary from a few centimeters to 50 cm high and exhibit 4 morphotypes: 1) bulbous or domal 2) columnar. Branching and non-branching varieties are common in the two morphotypes. The other two are : 3) laminated mats and 4) oncolites. All four types may occur in one bed. Filamentous algae were responsible for the building up of the stromatolites in which there was more precipitation of calcite than sediment entrapment. Stromatolites are believed to have formed in the littoral to sub-littoral parts of a lake during its transgressive and regressive phase which coincided with low rates of clastic sediment supply, high desiccation rate and sluggish water circulation.
Recommended Citation
KAAYA, C.Z.
(1995)
"Algal stromatolites from the late permian lacustrine sediments of tanzania,"
Tanzania Journal of Science: Vol. 21:
Iss.
1, Article 9.
Available at:https://doi.org/10.65085/2507-7961.2427
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