NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Vendian microfossils in metasedimentary cherts of the Scotia Group, Prins Karls Forland, SvalbardSedimentary rocks of the Scotia Group, Prins Karls Forland, Svalbard, have been metamorphosed to lower greenschist facies. Yet Scotia chert nodules contain abundant organic-walled microfossils belonging to at least seventeen taxa. Their black colour indicates that the fossils underwent substantial thermal alteration. However, it is suggested that preservation in a matrix of early diagenetic silica shielded them from the most destructive mechanical and chemical effects of metamorphism. Microbial mats and large acanthomorphic acritarchs suggest a coastal marine depositional environment; the acritarchs further indicate an early Vendian age for the sediments. The Scotia fossils bear a close resemblance to assemblages described from the Doushantuo Formation, China and elsewhere, demonstrating the broad geographical distribution of biostratigraphically important Vendian taxa. Briareus and Echinosphaeridium are described as new genera; Briareus borealis is described as a new species, while Echinosphaeridium maximum is proposed as a new combination.
Document ID
20040090200
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Knoll, A. H.
(Botanical Museum of Harvard University Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138)
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: Palaeontology
Volume: 35
Issue: Pt 4
ISSN: 0031-0239
Subject Category
Geosciences (General)
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: BSR90-9017747
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-893
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Non-NASA Center
NASA Program Exobiology
NASA Discipline Exobiology
NASA Discipline Number 52-30

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available