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Haematite pseudomicrofossils present in the 3.5-billion-year-old Apex Chert

Nature Geoscience volume 4, pages 240–243 (2011)Cite this article

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Abstract

Microstructures in the ∼3.5 Gyr Apex Chert Formation were initially described as the oldest bacterial fossils on Earth over 20 years ago1. However, the identification of the structures (which resemble cyanobacteria) as biological in origin remains controversial1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13. Here we determine the petrology and geochemistry of similar structures from the original Apex Chert locality using thin sections and Raman spectroscopy. Based on the microscopic examination of thin sections, we identify features similar to those previously identified as microfossils as a series of quartz and haematite-filled fractures. Raman spectroscopy of the fractures shows that carbonaceous material is not, as previously reported, associated with the structures, but is instead disseminated in the surrounding quartz matrix. We suggest that although the microstuctures analysed are not microfossils, the presence of carbonaceous material in the surrounding matrix is consistent with the existence of microbial life at this time, and with evidence of early Archaean life14,15 found at other sites. Furthermore, we caution against identifying microstructures as biological in origin without a full morphological and geochemical assessment.

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Figure 1: Photomicrographs showing features similar to those previously described, and a graph comparing the size of each.
Figure 2: Raman spectra collected from vein-fill minerals, the matrix, and a comparison between the matrix and a previously published Raman spectrum.
Figure 3: Raman spectra and images demonstrating how the haematite band at 1,320 cm−1 can lead to the appearance of carbonaceous material.

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Acknowledgements

Thanks to Australian Research Council for funding, M. Walter and M. Van Kranendonk for field assistance and helpful discussions, R. Goldstein for paragenesis advice, and A. Walton for access to his colour photomicrography facility.

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  1. Department of Geology, University of Kansas, Lawrence Kansas, 66045, USA

    Craig P. Marshall, Julienne R. Emry & Alison Olcott Marshall

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  1. Craig P. Marshall
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Contributions

C.P.M. collected the samples, J.R.E. collected the Raman data, A.O.M. and J.R.E. collected the photomicrographs, C.P.M. and A.O.M. interpreted the data, and A.O.M. wrote the paper with contributions from C.P.M.

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Correspondence to Alison Olcott Marshall.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Marshall, C., Emry, J. & Olcott Marshall, A. Haematite pseudomicrofossils present in the 3.5-billion-year-old Apex Chert. Nature Geosci 4, 240–243 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/ngeo1084

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