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. 2012 May 25;7(5):e38229. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0038229

Figure 1. Stromatolites of Highborne Cay, The Bahamas.

Figure 1

A. Underwater images of stromatolite build-ups in the subtidal zone. Bar = 10 cm. B. Cross section of a nonlithifying Type 1 stromatolitic mat showing extensive exopolymeric substances (EPS; caramel color) in the upper layer of the mat. Bar = 1 mm. C. Surface of nonlithifying Type 1 mats showed no signs of micritic carbonate deposition in the EPS material (caramel color). Bar = 2 mm. D. Cross section of lithifying Type 3 stromatolitic mat with pronounced layer of sand grains colonized by euendolithic cyanobacteria (cyano), as well as extensive carbonate deposition on the surface (arrow). Bar = 1 mm. E. Surface of lithifying microbial mat with extensive patches of micritic carbonate deposition (arrow). Bar = 2 mm.