Synchrotron FTIR investigations of kerogen from Proterozoic organic-walled eukaryotic microfossils.

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) provides a rapid non-destructive molecular characterization of organic and inorganic material in geological samples. Combination qualitative semi-quantitative approaches are routinely used FTIR study kerogen coals. A diversity descriptors straightforward tools to characterize type, composition structure. However, only few these applied the chemical investigation Precambrian organic-walled microfossils. Synchrotron radiation-based microspectroscopy (SR-FTIR) permits high spatial resolution investigations matter large range applications biology, geochemistry cosmochemistry, but remains rarely microfossils studies. Here we show that SR-FTIR combined with an integrative approach description is particularly relevant for minute unknown biological origin. The analyses five morphospecies from three different Proterozoic formations northwestern Canada highlight signatures rich aromatic, aliphatic oxygenated moieties. This evidenced by use spectrum descriptions (band assignments positions) calculations parameters using intensities integrated areas absorption bands (CH2/CH3, R3/2, Al/CC, CO/CC, factor, C factor). Altogether, this demonstrates interest when investigating chemistry spectroscopy.