MOSS GROWTH AND TRAVERTINE DEPOSITION - THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS, EVAPORATION AND DEGASSING OF CARBON-DIOXIDE

In situ measurements were performed on the travertine-encrusted mosses Cratoneuron commutatum var. commutatum and Eucladium verticillatum to obtain estimates of calcium carbonate deposition through photosynthes is, evaporation and carbon dioxide evasion. It was estimated that for both species, between 6 and 12% of the carbonate was deposited through photosynthesis, 10-20% through evaporation and the remaining 70-80% t hrough gas evasion.