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Paleontology and Biogeochemical Research: A Powerful Synergy

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Early Organic Evolution

Abstract

Traditionally, the systematic affinities of Precambrian and early Paleozoic fossils are determined on the basis of morphologic comparisons and assumed evolutionary theory. Their assignment to either the prokaryotes or eukaryotes on this basis may be equivocal and controversial. Such systematic data are used, however, to predict the physical environment during these periods, which subsequently impacts on the theory of the evolution of the Earth. In contrast to trace and body fossils, molecular fossils, detected by sophisticated gas chromatography and mass spectroscopic techniques (GCMS), can provide unequivocal information about natural affinities. Evidence of eukar-yote derived steranes in rocks as old as 1.6 Ga is now available and the marriage between biogeochemistry and paleontology results in a firmer basis for interpretation and prediction. The trend to chemically fingerprint fossil isolates, and their host rocks, is now gaining momentum and must continue. We illustrate the successful application of this technique to determine the probable paleobiology of the microfossil Gloeocapsomorphaprisca Zalessky 1917, and show it is the major source for certain Ordovician oils throughout many parts of the world.

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Author notes

  1. C. B. Foster

    Present address: Bureau of Mineral Resources, GPO Box 378, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology and Geophysics, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, S.A., 5000, Australia

    M. F. Glaessner (Emeritus Professor)

  2. Petroleum Division, Western Mining Corporation Limited, 28 Ventnor Avenue, West Perth, W.A., 6005, Australia

    C. B. Foster

  3. WMC-UWA Palynological Laboratory, Department of Geology, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, W.A., 6009, Australia

    C. B. Foster

Authors
  1. M. F. Glaessner
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. IGCP Project 157, Max-Planck-Institut für Chemie (Otto-Hahn-Institut), Saarstr. 23, W-6500, Mainz, Germany

    Manfred Schidlowski (Chairman) (Chairman)

  2. Biological Science Center, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA

    Stjepko Golubic

  3. Dept. of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695-8208, USA

    Michael M. Kimberley

  4. Department of Geology & Geophysics, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, S.A., 5001, Australia

    David M. McKirdy Sr. (Lecturer) (Lecturer)

  5. Division of Continental Geology, Bureau of Mineral Resources, GPO Box 378, Canberra, A.C.T., 2601, Australia

    Philip A. Trudinger

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© 1992 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Glaessner, M.F., Foster, C.B. (1992). Paleontology and Biogeochemical Research: A Powerful Synergy. In: Schidlowski, M., Golubic, S., Kimberley, M.M., McKirdy, D.M., Trudinger, P.A. (eds) Early Organic Evolution. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-76884-2_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-76884-2_13

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-76886-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-76884-2

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