The role of biogenicity in the mineral world is larger than many might assume. Biological processes interact with physical and chemical processes at the Earth’s surface and far below underground, leading to the formation, for instance, of banded iron formations and manganese deposits. Microbial mats can form giant sedimentary ore deposits, which also include enrichment of further elements. Microorganisms play a basic role in catalyzing geochemical processes of the Earth and in the control, regularization and leading of cycles of elements. Microbial mats and other biosignatures can be used as indicators for environmental reconstruction in geological samples. This article reviews the many ways that microbially controlled or mediated processes contribute to mineralization and examines some published case studies for clues of what might have been missed in the analysis of sedimentary rocks when biogenicity was not taken into account. Suggestions are made for tests and analyses that will allow the potential role of biomineralization to be investigated in order to obtain a more complete view of formation processes and their implications.

生物成因在矿物世界中的作用比许多人想象的要大。生物过程与地球表面和地下深处的物理和化学过程相互作用，导致形成例如带状铁地层和锰矿床。微生物垫可以形成巨大的沉积矿床，其中还包括更多元素的富集。微生物在地球地球化学过程的催化和元素循环的控制、调节和引导中发挥着基础性作用。微生物垫和其他生物特征可用作地质样品中环境重建的指标。本文回顾了微生物控制或介导的过程促进矿化的多种方式，并检查了一些已发表的案例研究，以寻找在不考虑生物成因的情况下在沉积岩分析中可能遗漏的线索。建议进行测试和分析，以便对生物矿化的潜在作用进行调查，以便更全面地了解形成过程及其影响。