Experimental studies in Precambrian paleontology: Structural and chemical changes in blue-green algae during simulated fossilization in synthetic chert

Research Article| January 01, 1976 Experimental studies in Precambrian paleontology: Structural and chemical changes in blue-green algae during simulated fossilization in synthetic chert JOHN H. OEHLER JOHN H. OEHLER 1CSIRO, Baas Becking Geobiological Laboratory, Box 378, Canberra City, A.C.T. 2601, Australia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information JOHN H. OEHLER 1CSIRO, Baas Becking Geobiological Laboratory, Box 378, Canberra City, A.C.T. 2601, Australia Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Geological Society of America GSA Bulletin (1976) 87 (1): 117–129. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1976)87<117:ESIPPS>2.0.CO;2 Article history First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation JOHN H. OEHLER; Experimental studies in Precambrian paleontology: Structural and chemical changes in blue-green algae during simulated fossilization in synthetic chert. GSA Bulletin 1976;; 87 (1): 117–129. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1976)87<117:ESIPPS>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract Experimental data concerning the effects of diagenesis and fossilization on soft-bodied microorganisms (particularly algae preserved in siliceous sediments) have been obtained through systematic monitoring of morphological and organic chemical changes in filamentous blue-green algae (Lyngbya majuscula, Oscillatoriaceae) during simulated fossilization in synthetic chert. With increasing time and temperature, there were tendencies toward reddening, darkening, and fragmentation of algal filaments, reduction in the size of algal cells and sheaths, destruction of micellar order in sheaths (with consequent loss of bire-fringent character), coalescence of trichomes, and destruction of intracellular components with preferential preservation of sheaths and cell walls. In addition, some algal filaments were damaged by growth of quartz spherulites, producing artifactual morphologies that appear to have natural counterparts in Precambrian fossiliferous cherts. Original algal hydrocarbons, and particularly normal alkanes, were relatively stable, but several previously absent hydrocarbons were produced through decomposition of other organic compounds. Isoprenoid compounds, chlorins, and probably porphyrins were derived from the degradation of algal chlorophyll. The δC13PDB value of algal carbon was unaffected in most experiments but decreased by 3‰ under extreme time and temperature conditions. Results of this study suggest trends in the morphological degradation of naturally silicified algae, demonstrate that certain morphologies are artifacts of the silicification process, and suggest possible explanations of observed organic chemical trends in recent and ancient sediments. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.