Mid Term #2 Flashcards
What are the different types of fossils found during the Precambrian?
Unicellular, and are rarely preserved
Hard to differentiate between species
Precambrian Subdivisions
Hadean (4.6-3.8 Ga)
Archean (3.8-2.5 Ga)
Proterozoic (2.5 Ga - 542 mya)
Orogenic Events
Result in the formation of metamorphic rocks under extreme pressure and heat
Evidence for Formation of Oceans
Pillow Basalts in Isua formation (greenland)
Isua Formation
Greenland
Oldest evidence of life due to high carbon 12 content
How do you measure isotope ratios?
Mass spectrometry
Mass spectronomy
Transform sample into a gas (digested in acid, vaporize with laser)
Pass down tube filled with inert gas (He)
Deflect with magnet
Collect and count different ions at other end
Where are the oldest stromatolites?
Warawoona Group
Western Australia
Fig Tree Formation
Stromatolites
Prokayotes
Pristane and Phytane (products of decomposition of chlorophyll)
Where does the understanding of ancient atmosphere come from?
Geochemistry of rocks and minerals
Certain minerals are stable in anaerobic conditions but not in the presence of Oxygen
Atmosphere of Archaen
Very limited amount of oxygen (compared to now)
Archaen rocks Geochemistry
Contained weathered mineral grains, so erosion was taking place (some sort of atmosphere present)
Banded Iron Formation composition
Iron-oxide minerals (hematite and magnetite)
Banded Iron Formation interpretation
Rusting of ocean
Precipitate minerals out of ocean due to reaction of Fe with O2
Red Beds
Terrestrial deposits
Formed when iron oxide minerals are exposed to O2
First occurs same time decrease in BIF
Precambrian Atmosphere
Primarily anoxic until 2.5-2.0 Ga, see change in geochemistry of rocks
Early Proterozoic Fossils
Gunflint Chert
Gunflint Chert
Ontario (2.1 Ga) Stromatolites Light Carbon Pristane and Phytane Increase in diversity of Prokaryotes
Pristane and Phytane
Stable products from decomposition of chlorophyll
Appearance of Eukaryotes
First appear 1.8 Ga
Require O2 for metabolism
Some reproduce sexually (increased variability)
Eukaryotes
Primarily distinguished by their size
Prokaryotes usually 10-60 micro milimeters
Metaphytes
Macroscopic Fossils
Macroscopic Fossils
Algae
First occurrence 1.25 Ga
Algae
Eukaryotic
Photosynthetic
No complex organs/tissues (not plants)