Characterization of Carbonaceous Material in the 3.3 Ga Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa
EMSL Project ID
48059
Abstract
Any phenomenon produced by life can be considered evidence for life if it becomes preserved in the geological record. Such phenomenon are commonly referred to as biosgnatures. However, ancient and extra-terrestrial life detection strives to define whether a phenomenon (or suite of phenomena) can be uniquely attributed to life (i.e., was it biogenic). Evaluation of the biogenicity and distinction of biosignatures of objects with microbial morphologies in the rock record are crucial problems in early life research. Therefore, efficient in situ analytical procedures associated with new developments in high-resolution microscopy and nano-scale technologies must be applied. As such protocols are developed, they will lead to recognition of useful criteria for distinguishing unambiguous evidence of microbial life in rocks from the early periods of Earth history. Preferred techniques are few in number, non-destructive, and non-invasive.The proposed project aims to investigate in situ and characterize at micrometer and nanometer scales 3.3 billion year (Ga) filamentous structures (few micrometers in diameter) embedded in chert veins and carbonaceous-bearing lamina from the Barberton greenstone belt, South Africa, identified in petrographic thin sections of rock. The filamentous structures are clearly syngenetic with a carbonaceous composition as observed by optical and Raman microscopy.
Project Details
Start Date
2013-05-14
End Date
2014-05-25
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator