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    Evidence for microbial life in synsedimentary cavities from 2.75 Ga terrestrial environments

    Access Status
    Fulltext not available
    Authors
    Rasmussen, Birger
    Blake, T.
    Fletcher, Ian
    Kilburn, M.
    Date
    2009
    Type
    Journal Article
    
    Metadata
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    Citation
    Rasmussen, Birger and Blake, T. and Fletcher, Ian and Kilburn, M. 2009. Evidence for microbial life in synsedimentary cavities from 2.75 Ga terrestrial environments. Geology 37 (5): pp. 423-426.
    Source Title
    Geology
    DOI
    10.1130/G25300A.1
    ISSN
    00917613
    Faculty
    Department of Applied Geology
    Faculty of Science and Engineering
    WA School of Mines
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/31174
    Collection
    • Curtin Research Publications
    Abstract

    Fluviolacustrine sediments of the 2.75 Ga Hardey Formation (Fortescue Group, Australia) preserve pendant columnar structures with stromatolitic lamination within synsedimentary cavities. The millimeter-sized, finger-like columns strongly resemble microbialites from modern basaltic caves and indicate the likely presence of microbial biofi lms. The ancient microbial columns are preserved by chert and locally occur as reworked clasts, indicating a near-depositional age for the structures. Sulfur isotopic analysis of pyrite in the columns and adjacent carbonaceous matrix yields d34SCDT (CDT?Canyon Diablo troilite) values between -8.5? and +19?, showing signifi cant fractionation characteristic of biological cycling of sulfur. Organic matter in cavity ceilings and shale matrix has d13CPDB (PDB?Peedee belemnite) values between -55? and -43?, suggesting the presence of methanotrophs. Our results suggest that 2.75 Ga terrestrial environments supported a microbial ecosystem, including microbes that inhabited synsedimentary hollows, extending the fossil record of coelobionts by ~1.5 b.y. Subsurface cavities represent a new habitable microenvironment for early life on Earth, and an analogue for ancient life on Mars.

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