Articles | Volume 16, issue 6
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-16-1133-2019
© Author(s) 2019. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-16-1133-2019
© Author(s) 2019. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
19 Mar 2019
Research article |
| 19 Mar 2019
| 19 Mar 2019
The origin and role of biological rock crusts in rocky desert weathering
Nimrod Wieler
Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, Blaustein Institutes for
Desert Research, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus,
Israel
Hanan Ginat
The Dead Sea and Arava Science Center, Israel
Osnat Gillor
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, Blaustein Institutes for
Desert Research, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus,
Israel
Soil and Water Research Infrastructure and Institute of Soil Biology,
Biology Centre CAS, Czechia
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Cited
26 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Microscopic and biomolecular complementary approaches to characterize bioweathering processes at petroglyph sites from the Negev Desert, Israel I. Nir et al.
- Silicate minerals enhance the expression of genes related to mineral dissolution by Priestia aryabhattai strain C4-10 Q. Sheng et al.
- Roles of Algae in Honeycomb Weathering in Humid Climate: an Example from Danxiashan UNESCO Global Geopark of China L. Chen et al.
- Biofilm driven bioweathering on limestone; a humidity dependent process M. Gholipour-Shahraki et al.
- Microbial and geo-archaeological records reveal the growth rate, origin and composition of desert rock surface communities N. Wieler et al.
- Slope retreat rates estimated from chronology of tufa deposits sheltered by inland notches on Mt. Carmel, Israel N. Shtober-Zisu et al.
- Living Lithic and Sublithic Bacterial Communities in Namibian Drylands S. Genderjahn et al.
- Effects of wildfire on sandstone outcrops and environmental consequences, Bohemian Switzerland NP, Czech Republic M. Filippi et al.
- Hierarchically Structured Biogenic Siliceous Rocks for Electrocatalysis: Advances, Methodologies, and Future Directions K. Li et al.
- Trichocoleus desertorum isolated from Negev desert petroglyphs: Characterization, adaptation and bioerosion potential N. Irit et al.
- Sedimentary Circumstances and Physiographic Sites Impact on the Morphological Properties of Feldspar Minerals of Iraqi Soils G. Al-Zubaidi & L. Alabadi
- Les formes d’érosion en lit mineur rocheux : typologie, distribution spatiale et implications sur la dynamique du lit. Exemple à partir des seuils rocheux molassiques de la moyenne Garonne toulousaine (Sud-Ouest, France) H. Jantzi et al.
- Climate controls on limestone cavernous weathering patterns in Israel J. Mareš et al.
- Self-repairing of rock cracks by microbially induced silicate precipitation R. Uenishi et al.
- Holocene dust dynamics archives in archaeological ruins in arid and semi-arid environments in the Southern Levant B. Lucke & R. Bäumler
- Assembly and Source of the Lithobiontic Microbial Community in Limestone J. Chen et al.
- Accelerated disintegration of in situ disconnected portions of sandstone outcrops M. Filippi et al.
- Multiple Middle Paleolithic lithic traditions in the southern Levant during MIS 6-5 and cultural variability in arid environments: insights from the site of Besor Dyka, Negev Desert M. Oron et al.
- Measurements and calculations of seasonal evaporation rate from bare sandstone surfaces: Implications for rock weathering M. Slavík et al.
- The tombstones at the Monumental Cemetery of Milano select for a specialized microbial community M. Gambino et al.
- Evaporation rate from surfaces of various granular rocks: Comparison of measured and calculated values M. Slavík et al.
- Calcium Carbonate Growth with the Ring Structure of Stalactite-Type Minerals in a Tuff Breccia R. Uenishi & H. Matsubara
- Weathering and soil formation in hot, dry environments mediated by plant–microbe interactions B. Lopez & M. Bacilio
- Numerical modeling of the evolution of arcades and rock pillars A. Safonov et al.
- Skeletal and sedimentary structures in yardang caverns in the Mars analog, Qaidam Basin: origin and implication Q. Hu et al.
- Regional onset of Holocene drying period estimated from sand deposit analyses in Kharga Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt M. Watanabe & H. Kamei
26 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Microscopic and biomolecular complementary approaches to characterize bioweathering processes at petroglyph sites from the Negev Desert, Israel I. Nir et al.
- Silicate minerals enhance the expression of genes related to mineral dissolution by Priestia aryabhattai strain C4-10 Q. Sheng et al.
- Roles of Algae in Honeycomb Weathering in Humid Climate: an Example from Danxiashan UNESCO Global Geopark of China L. Chen et al.
- Biofilm driven bioweathering on limestone; a humidity dependent process M. Gholipour-Shahraki et al.
- Microbial and geo-archaeological records reveal the growth rate, origin and composition of desert rock surface communities N. Wieler et al.
- Slope retreat rates estimated from chronology of tufa deposits sheltered by inland notches on Mt. Carmel, Israel N. Shtober-Zisu et al.
- Living Lithic and Sublithic Bacterial Communities in Namibian Drylands S. Genderjahn et al.
- Effects of wildfire on sandstone outcrops and environmental consequences, Bohemian Switzerland NP, Czech Republic M. Filippi et al.
- Hierarchically Structured Biogenic Siliceous Rocks for Electrocatalysis: Advances, Methodologies, and Future Directions K. Li et al.
- Trichocoleus desertorum isolated from Negev desert petroglyphs: Characterization, adaptation and bioerosion potential N. Irit et al.
- Sedimentary Circumstances and Physiographic Sites Impact on the Morphological Properties of Feldspar Minerals of Iraqi Soils G. Al-Zubaidi & L. Alabadi
- Les formes d’érosion en lit mineur rocheux : typologie, distribution spatiale et implications sur la dynamique du lit. Exemple à partir des seuils rocheux molassiques de la moyenne Garonne toulousaine (Sud-Ouest, France) H. Jantzi et al.
- Climate controls on limestone cavernous weathering patterns in Israel J. Mareš et al.
- Self-repairing of rock cracks by microbially induced silicate precipitation R. Uenishi et al.
- Holocene dust dynamics archives in archaeological ruins in arid and semi-arid environments in the Southern Levant B. Lucke & R. Bäumler
- Assembly and Source of the Lithobiontic Microbial Community in Limestone J. Chen et al.
- Accelerated disintegration of in situ disconnected portions of sandstone outcrops M. Filippi et al.
- Multiple Middle Paleolithic lithic traditions in the southern Levant during MIS 6-5 and cultural variability in arid environments: insights from the site of Besor Dyka, Negev Desert M. Oron et al.
- Measurements and calculations of seasonal evaporation rate from bare sandstone surfaces: Implications for rock weathering M. Slavík et al.
- The tombstones at the Monumental Cemetery of Milano select for a specialized microbial community M. Gambino et al.
- Evaporation rate from surfaces of various granular rocks: Comparison of measured and calculated values M. Slavík et al.
- Calcium Carbonate Growth with the Ring Structure of Stalactite-Type Minerals in a Tuff Breccia R. Uenishi & H. Matsubara
- Weathering and soil formation in hot, dry environments mediated by plant–microbe interactions B. Lopez & M. Bacilio
- Numerical modeling of the evolution of arcades and rock pillars A. Safonov et al.
- Skeletal and sedimentary structures in yardang caverns in the Mars analog, Qaidam Basin: origin and implication Q. Hu et al.
- Regional onset of Holocene drying period estimated from sand deposit analyses in Kharga Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt M. Watanabe & H. Kamei
Saved (final revised paper)
Latest update: 06 May 2026
Short summary
In stony deserts, when rocks are exposed to atmospheric conditions, they undergo weathering. The cavernous (honeycomb) weathering pattern is one of the most common, but it is still unclear exactly how it is formed. We show that microorganisms, which differ from the surrounding soil and dust, form biological crusts on exposed rock surfaces. These microbes secrete polymeric substances that mitigate weathering by reducing evaporation rates and, consequently, salt transport rates through the rock.
In stony deserts, when rocks are exposed to atmospheric conditions, they undergo weathering. The...
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