Abstract The influence of microbial communities upon sedimentary dynamics is an issue of increasing significance. Over the last decades, studies have revealed a particular class of sedimentary structures and textures produced by the interaction among distinct flows, marine substrate, and benthic microbial communities. We present evidence of the oldest record of microbially-induced sedimentary structures (MISS) in South America, as recorded in low-grade metasedimentary rocks of the Early Mesoproterozoic (∼1536 ± 33 Ma) Tiradentes Formation, state of Minas Gerais, SW Brazil. Types 1, 2, and 3 correspond to wrinkle, pustular, and dome structures related to flat or rippled bed surfaces, preserved in metasandstone deposited in shallow marine settings. Evidence supporting the microbial origin of these structures includes delicate morphology, degree of alignment, presence of original mat cover, and orientation of quartz grains indicating biostabilization. The presence of distinct MISS associated with well-preserved ripple marks, wrinkled surfaces, and flatbeds suggests deposition under varied energy conditions with different potentials for the preservation of surficial structures. Vertical growth of microbial communities influences sediment cohesion and stability. This reduces substrate roughness and, as a consequence, wave and current shear, thereby increasing the preservation potential of bedforms and delicate features of their bedding surfaces.

Abstract The Aptian Crato Formation is world renowned for its well-preserved fossils in microbially-induced laminated limestones, which are regarded as one of the main Cretaceous Konservat-Lagerstätte of the geological record. Detailed stratigraphic investigation and mapping of the up to 90-m-thick Crato Formation at the eastern border of the Araripe Plateau allowed recognition of a regionally persistent fossil-bearing muddy interval, herein defined as the Caldas Bed. At its type locality, it is defined as an up to 2-m-thick coarsening-upward succession of grey/green mudstone and interbedded sandy siltstone and claystone. The 0.85- to 2-m-thick interval was recognized in several localities along the outcrop belt, and it is bounded by sharp, lower (Konservat-Lagerstätte limestone) and upper (sandstone and heterolithic facies) contacts. Despite previous literature data suggesting the presence of marine mollusks, the bed contains freshwater bivalves, small gastropods, spinicaudatans, plant remains, trace fossils, and rare ostracods. The Caldas Bed records benthic paleocommunities representing a short-term isochronous regional freshening event, marked by abrupt changes in sedimentation pattern, bathymetry, salinity, oxygenation and water chemistry.

Abstract Sedimentologic and stratigraphic studies of paleo-deserts from the Brazilian Cretaceous are of great potential to understand the paleoclimate and paleogeography of Gondwana during its final rifting stage. Herein, we describe and discuss two depositional units characterized by two distinct eolian systems that are bounded by a long-lived unconformity. The Lower Unit (Barremian/Aptian) encompasses a wet eolian system composed of dune, interdunes, and ephemeral alluvial deposits. A continuous paleosol horizon in the upper part of the Lower Unit records dune stabilization and end of eolian accumulation, in a period of climate amelioration possibly in the late Aptian. The stratigraphic gap proposed for the unconformity (Cenomanian to Coniacian) coincides with the Cretaceous Thermal Maximum. The Upper Unit (Santonian?/Campanian) comprises dune fields of a dry eolian system capped by the Mata da Corda volcanic rocks. Cross stratification dip directions from both eolian systems shows transport towards SSW. Paleo-winds coming from the northeast quadrant reveal that the continental breakup and drifting had little influence on the surface winds in this Gondwana sector. The Upper Cretaceous paleo-winds are coherent with global paleo-circulation models, based on a high-pressure cell over the South Atlantic proto-ocean, favoring desertification in the inner portion of the southwestern Gondwana.