Banerjee et al., 2007

Author(s):Banerjee, N. R., Simonetti, A., Furnes, H., Muehlenbachs, K., Staudigel, H., Heaman, L., Van Kranendonk, M. J.
Year:2007
Title:Direct dating of Archean microbial ichnofossils
Journal:Geology
Volume:35
Number:6
Pages:487
Abstract

Well-preserved Archean pillow lavas from the ca. 3.35 Ga Euro Basalt of the Pilbara Craton, Western Australia, contain micron-sized tubular structures mineralized by titanite (CaTiSiO4) with residual organic carbon preserved along their margins. Direct U-Pb dating of titanite in the tubular structures demonstrates an Archean age. These tubular microstructures are identical to microbial ichnofossils in modern basalts, ophiolites, and greenstone belts, and are interpreted as a biogenic signature in these ancient rocks. Microbial colonization of basaltic glass thus appears to have been part of a deep subsurface biosphere established early in Earth's history

Keywords:Bioerosion, Microbioerosion, Paleontology, Precambrian
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1130/G23534A.1
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