'Living rocks' suck up a lot of carbon

Super tough microbialites are some of the oldest evidence of life on Earth. Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. Among the tricky carnivorous plants, great white shark-killing orca whales, and other remarkable flora and fauna that call South Africa home is a remarkable group of "living rocks." Called microbialites, these communities are similar to coral reefs and are built up by microbes. These tiny living organisms absorb and release dissolved minerals into more solid rock-like forms.