Exceptional preservation of organic matter and iron-organic colloidal mineralization in hydrothermal black smoker-type sulfide mineralization from the Paleoarchean seafloor

Baumgartner, Raphael J.; Teece, Bronwyn L.; Rasmussen, Birger; Muhling, Janet R.; Rickard, William D.A.; Pejcic, Bobby; Hu, Siyu; Bourdet, Julien; Caruso, Stefano; Kranendonk, Martin J. Van; Grice, Kliti

doi:10.1016/j.chemgeo.2022.121296

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 94 publications

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“…Important organic ToF-SIMS studies have included multiple biomarker investigations (e.g., Steele et al, 2001;Toporski et al, 2002;Siljeström et al, 2009Siljeström et al, , 2010Siljeström et al, , 2013Siljeström et al, , 2017Siljeström et al, , 2022Thiel and Sjövall, 2011;Greenwalt et al, 2013;Thiel et al, 2014;Gren et al, 2017;Schweitzer et al, 2018). Organic ToF-SIMS analysis of geological and paleontological samples can yield mass spectral data from rare and precious specimens, altering only the uppermost few nanometers of analysis areas (Greenwalt et al, 2013;Lindgren et al, 2018Lindgren et al, , 2019Baumgartner et al, 2023). As it employs no analyte separation (such as that provided by GC), it is not capable of resolving stereoisomers, and the isotopic composition of large organic molecules can be difficult to interpret.…”

Section: D Surface Analysis Of Nom By Particle Bombardment Techniquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbially mediated fossil concretions and their characterization by the latest methodologies: a review

Dhami,

Greenwood,

Poropat

et al. 2023

Front. Microbiol.

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The study of well-preserved organic matter (OM) within mineral concretions has provided key insights into depositional and environmental conditions in deep time. Concretions of varied compositions, including carbonate, phosphate, and iron-based minerals, have been found to host exceptionally preserved fossils. Organic geochemical characterization of concretion-encapsulated OM promises valuable new information of fossil preservation, paleoenvironments, and even direct taxonomic information to further illuminate the evolutionary dynamics of our planet and its biota. Full exploitation of this largely untapped geochemical archive, however, requires a sophisticated understanding of the prevalence, formation controls and OM sequestration properties of mineral concretions. Past research has led to the proposal of different models of concretion formation and OM preservation. Nevertheless, the formation mechanisms and controls on OM preservation in concretions remain poorly understood. Here we provide a detailed review of the main types of concretions and formation pathways with a focus on the role of microbes and their metabolic activities. In addition, we provide a comprehensive account of organic geochemical, and complimentary inorganic geochemical, morphological, microbial and paleontological, analytical methods, including recent advancements, relevant to the characterization of concretions and sequestered OM. The application and outcome of several early organic geochemical studies of concretion-impregnated OM are included to demonstrate how this underexploited geo-biological record can provide new insights into the Earth’s evolutionary record. This paper also attempts to shed light on the current status of this research and major challenges that lie ahead in the further application of geo-paleo-microbial and organic geochemical research of concretions and their host fossils. Recent efforts to bridge the knowledge and communication gaps in this multidisciplinary research area are also discussed, with particular emphasis on research with significance for interpreting the molecular record in extraordinarily preserved fossils.

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Section: D Surface Analysis Of Nom By Particle Bombardment Techniquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbially mediated fossil concretions and their characterization by the latest methodologies: a review

Dhami,

Greenwood,

Poropat

et al. 2023

Front. Microbiol.

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Secondary ion mass spectrometry: Principles and applications in earth and planetary sciences

Martin,

Guagliardo,

Rickard

et al. 2025

Treatise on Geochemistry

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Pyritic stromatolites from the Paleoarchean Dresser Formation, Pilbara Craton: Resolving biogenicity and hydrothermally influenced ecosystem dynamics

Baumgartner,

Van Kranendonk,

Caruso

et al. 2024

Geobiology

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This study investigates the paleobiological significance of pyritic stromatolites from the 3.48 billion‐year‐old Dresser Formation, Pilbara Craton. By combining paleoenvironmental analyses with observations from well‐preserved stromatolites in newly obtained drill cores, the research reveals stratiform and columnar to domal pyritic structures with wavy to wrinkly laminations and crest thickening, hosted within facies variably influenced by syn‐depositional hydrothermal activity. The columnar and domal stromatolites occur in strata with clearly distinguishable primary depositional textures. Mineralogical variability and fine‐scale interference textures between the microbialites and the enclosing sediment highlight interplays between microbial and depositional processes. The stromatolites consist of organomineralization – nanoporous pyrite and microspherulitic barite – hosting significant thermally mature organic matter (OM). This includes filamentous organic microstructures encased within nanoporous pyrite, resembling the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) of microbes. These findings imply biogenicity and support the activity of microbial life in a volcano‐sedimentary environment with hydrothermal activity and evaporative cycles. Coupled changes in stromatolite morphology and host facies suggest growth in diverse niches, from dynamic, hydrothermally influenced shallow‐water environments to restricted brine pools strongly enriched in from seawater and hydrothermal activity. These observations, along with S stable isotope data indicating influence by S metabolisms, and accumulations of biologically significant metals and metalloids (Ni and As) within the microbialites, help constrain microbial processes. Columnar to domal stromatolites in dynamic, hydrothermally influenced shallow water deposits likely formed by microbial communities dominated by phototrophs. Stratiform pyritic structures within barite‐rich strata may reflect the prevalence of chemotrophs near hydrothermal venting, where hydrothermal activity and microbial processes influenced barite precipitation. Rapid pyrite precipitation, a putative taphonomic process for preserving microbial remnants, is attributed to microbial sulfate reduction and reduced S sourced from hydrothermal activity. In conclusion, this research underscores the biogenicity of the Dresser stromatolites and advances our understanding of microbial ecosystems in Earth's early history.

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Exceptional preservation of organic matter and iron-organic colloidal mineralization in hydrothermal black smoker-type sulfide mineralization from the Paleoarchean seafloor

Cited by 4 publications

References 94 publications

Microbially mediated fossil concretions and their characterization by the latest methodologies: a review

Microbially mediated fossil concretions and their characterization by the latest methodologies: a review

Secondary ion mass spectrometry: Principles and applications in earth and planetary sciences

Pyritic stromatolites from the Paleoarchean Dresser Formation, Pilbara Craton: Resolving biogenicity and hydrothermally influenced ecosystem dynamics

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