biolith

plural bioliths

1. geographyA rock or other geological feature formed by living organisms.

   The third theory which was advanced to explain the formation of phosphorites is the classical biolith hypothesis.

   1955, Roger Van Vloten, Geology of the border region between Coaluila and Zacatecas, Mexico, page 141

   2 more examples

   By extraction of a combustible biolith with different solvents, Holde was able to obtain as much as 7.7 percent of fatty, wax-like or colophony-like bodies.

   1915, David Holde, Edward Mueller, The examination of hydrocarbon oils and of saponifiable fats and waxes, page 7

   Under conditions of strong oxidation, Cd is likely to form minerals (CdO, CdCO₃) and is also likely to be accumulated in phosphate and in biolith deposits.

   2001, Alina Kabata-Pendias, Henryk Pendias, Trace elements in soils and plants, page 144