El Médano megarhizoliths field, Tenerife: Origin and paleoenvironmental significance

The vertical cylindrical structures that occur in El Médano (Tenerife) have had varied interpretations. The structures are about a few decimeters in diameter and may reach near 1 m high. In this paper we provide data that support their interpretation as megarhizoliths formed by roots and associated...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Alonso Zarza, Ana María, Casillas Ruiz, Ramón
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2019
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Huelva (UHU)
Repositorio:Arias Montano. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Huelva
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ariasmontano.uhu.es:10272/16743
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10272/16743
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Tenerife
Eolian deposits
Megarhizoliths
Roots
Microbes
Depósitos eólicos
Megarrizolitos
Raíces
Microbios
Descripción
Sumario:The vertical cylindrical structures that occur in El Médano (Tenerife) have had varied interpretations. The structures are about a few decimeters in diameter and may reach near 1 m high. In this paper we provide data that support their interpretation as megarhizoliths formed by roots and associated microorganisms within eolian deposits. The common association with smaller roots and insect traces, as well as the fine carbonate laminae indicate their formation in vegetated soils during relatively wetter periods. The micritic-microesparitic coatings, the peloids, ooids and the alveolar septal structures confirm the biogenic origin of these structures