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Use of Molecular Fossils for the Interpretation of Paleoenvironments on Early Earth: The Synthesis of Lipid Biomarkers by Methane-Oxidizing BacteriaOver the course of Earth's history, the most important biological influence has come from the evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis and the development of an oxygen-rich biosphere. Although the availability of free oxygen had profound effects on subsequent biological and planetary evolution, clear paleobiological evidence of the timing of this transition is lacking. Recent technical advances in the microanalysis of organic matter has made it possible to detect residual molecules (biomarkers) in proterozoic (2.5 to 0.6 billion years) sedimentary rock characteristic of specific groups of microorganisms. When coupled with the carbon isotopic fractionations characteristic of biological systems and the new field of compound specific isotope analysis, biomarkers could prove to be a powerful tool for decoding ancient biochemistry from the geological record. We have been studying the carbon isotope fractionations associated with the synthesis of organic biomarker molecules in several types of methane-oxidizing bacteria that should have been key to carbon cycling in paleoenvironments after the evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis.
Document ID
20010124107
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Jahnke, Linda L.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Summons, Roger E.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Chang, Sherwood
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1994
Subject Category
Geophysics
Meeting Information
Meeting: Gordon Research Conference on Origin of Life
Location: Newport, RI
Country: United States
Start Date: August 22, 1994
End Date: August 26, 1994
Sponsors: Gordon Research Conferences, Inc.
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 185-52-32
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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