Multimodal Analysis of Rocks and Sediments in Shallow Marine Environments

This project investigates the interactions of microrganisms with carbonate grains and corals-derived sediment in shallow-marine environments and how these interactions alter rocks and sediments over time. By combining in situ field experiments with X-ray micro–computed tomography (μCT) and Backscatering electron microscopy (BS-SEM), researchers were able to track these transformations in three dimensions and through time, directly visualizing microbial microboring, micrite formation, and the development of microporosity at the grain scale. This mutidisciplinary approach helps clarify the role of microbes in controlling early alteration processes in carbonate sediment/rock and how these processes shape rock properties of carbonates. 

Figure from preliminary report showing A,B,C: experiment sites, D: carbonate samples, E,F: thin sections of carbonates.

Preliminary results of this project were presented by the lead researcher Thomas Teillet (former KAUST postdoc) at the International Meeting for Applied Geoscience and Energy (IMAGE) Conference as well as at the Mountjoy Carbonate Conference, both in August 2025. More information can also be found in a preliminary report in GeoScienceWorld entitled: "Micritized Grains and Peloids: The Taphonomic Adventures of Carbonate Grains in Shallow Marine Settings".

KVL's visualization scientist Dr. Ronell Sicat supported Dr. Teillet in processing the μCT data, including preprocessing, alignment, segmentation, and analysis, in order to quantify changes in the rock samples over time. A full paper is currently underway with a more detailed analysis of the microbial interactions with the rock samples.