Выпуск: 3 , Год издания: 2012

The contents of many elements in a microbial community and various associations of a carbonate body from the Garga hot spring (Barguzin Valley, Baikal Rift Zone) were analyzed with a synchrotron X-ray fluorescence analysis. The coefficients of biological accumulation have been determined. The contents of practically all elements, except for Sr, in the microbial community are higher than in the carbonate body, and the Ge and Zn contents are higher by an 2 order of magnitude. The vertical cross section of the carbonate body contains three associations two of which formed as a result of microbial activity. The contents of elements in all associations are similar. The Ge content in the microbial community is 270 ppm, on average, whereas in the carbonate body it is less than 2 ppm. The elevated Ge contents could serve as a diagnostic indicator of the microbial community's development around the sulfide-less alkaline hot springs in the presence of increased contents of radium isotopes. A sample of the carbonate body with layers formed as a result of the microbial community activity was continuously scanned with a step of 0.5 mm. No Ge rich areas were determined, which indicates its removal by solutions during the destruction of organic matter