Figure 27

Saline springs, Lake Winnipegosis region, Manitoba. A, D: Examples of partially desiccated microbial mat surrounding a saline spring. The brain-like morphology of the mat is coated with evaporitic minerals. B: Fragmented iron-stained carbonate (high-Mg calcite) tufa deposit. C: Example of living microbial mat near a saline spring; mats can reach several centimeters in thickness and are often laminated.