Free and kerogen‐bound biomarkers from late Tonian sedimentary rocks record abundant eukaryotes in mid‐Neoproterozoic marine communities

Patterns of Rare and Abundant Marine Microbial Eukaryotes

BACKGROUND Biological communities are normally composed of a few abundant and many rare species. This pattern is particularly prominent in microbial communities, in which most constituent taxa are usually extremely rare. Although abundant and rare subcommunities may present intrinsic characteristics that could be crucial for understanding community dynamics and ecosystem functioning, microbiolo...

Sedimentation and Sedimentary Rocks

Sedimentary rocks are one component of the modern threefold classification of rocks. They derive from the lithification of sediments, which are produced in basically two ways: by the mechanical deposition of grains derived from the alteration of other rocks (detrital or clastic rocks), or as chemical precipitates or grains formed organically or inorganically from an aqueous solution. The whole ...

Groundwater in Sedimentary, Metamorphic and Volcanic Rocks

Triple oxygen isotope variations in sedimentary rocks

Relatively large (P0.2&) O anomalies in the geologic record have been used to recognize atmospheric processes such as photochemical reactions and to trace changes in the partial pressures of O2 and CO2 in Earth’s atmosphere through time. However, recent oxygen isotope measurements of terrestrial rocks, minerals and waters also reveal common, smaller (but statistically significant) deviations fr...

Veneers, rinds, and fracture fills: Relatively late alteration of sedimentary rocks at Meridiani Planum, Mars

[1] Veneers and thicker rinds that coat outcrop surfaces and partially cemented fracture fills formed perpendicular to bedding document relatively late stage alteration of ancient sedimentary rocks at Meridiani Planum, Mars. The chemistry of submillimeter thick, buff-colored veneers reflects multiple processes at work since the establishment of the current plains surface. Veneer composition is ...