Molecular Biogeochemistry of Modern and Ancient Marine Microbes
Abstract
Biological activity has shaped the surface of the earth in numerous ways, but life's most pervasive and persistent global impact has been the secular oxidation of the surface environment. This thesis addresses aspects of the role of marine micro-organisms in driving this process. Biomarkers (hydrocarbon molecular fossils) from the Transvaal Supergroup, South Africa, document the presence in the oceans of a diverse microbiota, including eukaryotes, as well as oxygenic photosynthesis and aerobic biochemistry, by ca. 2.7Ga. Experimental study of the oxygen requirements of steroid biosynthesis suggests that sterane biomarkers in late Archean rocks are consistent with the persistence of microaerobic surface ocean environments long before the initial oxygenation of the atmosphere.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA514565
Entities
People
- Jacob R. Waldbauer
Organizations
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution