Article
Biology
S. McMahon, J. J. Matthews, A. Brasier, J. Still
Summary: The Ediacaran period in Newfoundland, Canada has revealed well-preserved fossils from emergent siliciclastic depositional environments, shedding light on the early terrestrial microbial ecosystems and supporting the idea that late Ediacaran terrestrial environments could produce substantial biomass. This study provides important insights for modern biogeochemistry.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ibtissam Chraiki, Ernest Chi Fru, Andrea Somogyi, El Hafid Bouougri, Olabode Bankole, Mohamed Ghnahalla, Abderrazak El Albani
Summary: The Amane Tazgart microbialites in Morocco provide valuable insights into early microbial life and their habitats. Through geochemical analysis, it was found that the microbialites recorded changes in lake water chemistry over time and space. These changes included transitions from a cold/dry climate to a warm/wet climate, as well as shifts in the dominant microbial community. The presence of high levels of arsenic suggests the presence of robust detoxification mechanisms in these extremophiles.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Geology
Zaki A. Abdel-Fattah, Haytham Sehsah, Rogers C. C. Buntin
Summary: Photoautotrophic microbial mats and microbially induced sedimentary structures (MISS) have been found in non-marine settings, specifically in the lacustrine deposits of the Hammamat Group in Egypt. These findings provide evidence for the significant role of microbial mats in ancient freshwater lakes and their importance in the evolution of early aquatic multicellular organisms.
SEDIMENTARY GEOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Paleontology
Qing Ouyang, Chuan-Ming Zhou, Ke Pang, Zhe Chen
Summary: In this study, Polybessurus sp. are reported from the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation in western Hubei Province, South China, with specimens identical to their pre-Cryogenian counterparts. The larger tube sizes of the Doushantuo specimens contrast with the relatively smaller tubes of the pre-Cryogenian specimens. Polybessurus may have been formed by cyanobacteria, affecting textures and microenvironments of inshore sediments.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Zhehang Xu, Caijun Lan, Benjian Zhang, Fang Hao, Chaojin Lu, Xingwang Tian, Huayao Zou
Summary: This study investigates the diagenesis of microbialite reservoirs in the Sichuan Basin and its impact on reservoir quality. The results show that early meteoric alteration and various cementation processes play crucial roles in the formation of microbialite. Temperature rise and some geochemical reactions have minor influence on the reservoir. This study provides important insights for further exploration of Precambrian successions.
MARINE AND PETROLEUM GEOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Muwen He, Yao Jin, Rongqing Zhou, Dong Zhao, Jia Zheng, Chongde Wu
Summary: This study investigated the dynamics of physicochemical properties, microbial communities, and volatile compounds during the manufacture of Nongxiangxing daqu, a fermentation starter for Chinese baijiu. The results showed that Lactobacillus and Weissella were the predominant bacterial genera, while Thermoascus, Pichia, and Rhizopus were the dominant fungi in daqu. The acidity was positively correlated with Lactobacillus, and saccharification power was positively correlated with Aspergillus, Rhizomucor, Rasamsonia, and Thermoascus. Esters were identified as the main aroma components in daqu, and they were positively correlated with fungi. Key enzymes involved in carbohydrate hydrolysis, ethanol fermentation, and flavor formation were also revealed.
FOOD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Zhanghu Wang, Xiaomin Xie, Zhigang Wen
Summary: This study reveals the diagenetic mechanism of the Liuchapo cherts in South China and the variations in seawater temperature and redox conditions. The results indicate that episodic hydrothermal activity influenced the formation of cherts, and different water column conditions in different wells resulted in variations in silicon and oxygen isotopes.
PRECAMBRIAN RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Caijun Lan, Zhehang Xu, Haoru Chen, Weiqiang Yang, Chaojin Lu, Pingping Li, Huayao Zou
Summary: Abundant microbial carbonates with well-preserved primary textures occur in the upper Ediacaran Dengying Formation in the Sichuan Basin, southwest China. Analyzing these rocks reveals that they were deposited in suboxic seawater conditions. From the lower to upper parts of the Dengying Formation, the seawater oxygen concentration gradually increased while salinity decreased, resulting in a decreased development of microbial carbonates in the upper part compared to the lower part.
JOURNAL OF ASIAN EARTH SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fei Han, Mengru Zhang, Zhe Liu, Hongguo Shang, Qian Li, Weizhi Zhou
Summary: This study successfully established a partial nitrification system by inoculating marine sediments in a biofilm reactor, achieving satisfactory COD and NH4+-N removal efficiency for synthetic seawater blackwater. High-throughput sequencing revealed Nitrosomonas halophila as the sole AOB, while Thauera and Paracoccus were the main denitrifying bacteria in the biofilm samples.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
James F. Busch, Thomas H. Boag, Erik A. Sperling, Alan D. Rooney, Xiahong Feng, David P. Moynihan, Justin V. Strauss
Summary: This study uses the Gametrail Formation in northwestern Canada to examine the Shuram carbon isotope excursion and its relationship to regional tectonic and stratigraphic complexities. The study provides useful examples of how local factors can affect the expression of a globally recognized carbon isotope event.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Geology
Paulina Leonowicz, Malgorzata Bienkowska-Wasiluk, Tomasz Ochmanski
Summary: This study focuses on microbially induced sedimentary structures (MISS) from deep-marine environments, identifying periods of in-situ formation and sedimentary structures caused by distal turbidity currents. The analysis of MISS can significantly benefit the interpretation of depositional conditions in deep-marine settings.
SEDIMENTARY GEOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Maya L. Gomes, Judith M. Klatt, Gregory J. Dick, Sharon L. Grim, Kathryn I. Rico, Matthew Medina, Wiebke Ziebis, Lauren Kinsman-Costello, Nathan D. Sheldon, David A. Fike
Summary: The sedimentary pyrite sulfur isotope record serves as an archive of ancient microbial sulfur cycling and environmental conditions. Analysis reveals that porewater sulfide delta S-34 values fluctuate significantly throughout the day due to light-driven changes in microbial activity.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Kathryn I. Rico, Manuel Schad, Aude Picard, Andreas Kappler, Kurt O. Konhauser, Nagissa Mahmoudi
Summary: Banded Iron Formations (BIFs) have long been thought to be a sedimentary record of seawater trace metal composition, but recent research suggests that much of the trace metals could have come from phytoplankton biomass. This study tested the hypothesis that heterotrophic bacteria degrade the biomass and release the trace metals. The results show that while one type of bacterium can consume carbon substrates in the biomass, there is no evidence that it degrades metalloproteins to liberate trace metals.
EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Mahboubeh Rahmati-Abkenar, Milad Alizadeh, Marcelo Ketzer
Summary: This study presents a new approach of dynamic transport-reaction model combined with sediment deposition to reproduce the distribution of methane in marine sediments. By predicting methane concentration, the model provides a robust estimation tool for carbon budget in sediments.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Han Wang, Shugen Liu, Mincai Hou, Benjian Zhang, Jinmin Song, Rongrong Zhao, Yi Ding, Yuyue Han, Zhiwu Li
Summary: The Ediacaran-Cambrian transition is a crucial period in geological history, and the study reveals that the cherts in the northern margin of the Yangtze Platform in the Yangtze Block have recorded important information about the coevolution of earth systems. The cherts were formed through hydrothermal processes, with silicon-rich fluids migrating from depth to the seafloor, resulting in abnormally silicon-rich seawater and widespread distribution of cherts.
PRECAMBRIAN RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Geology
Alexander G. Liu, Sean McMahon, Jack J. Matthews, John W. Still, Alexander T. Brasier
Article
Ecology
Rachel Wood, Alexander G. Liu, Frederick Bowyer, Philip R. Wilby, Frances S. Dunn, Charlotte G. Kenchington, Jennifer F. Hoyal Cuthill, Emily G. Mitchell, Amelia Penny
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2019)
Article
Ecology
Frances S. Dunn, Alexander G. Liu
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2019)
Article
Paleontology
Frances S. Dunn, Alexander G. Liu, James G. Gehling
Review
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Neil S. Davies, Anthony P. Shillito, Ben J. Slater, Alexander G. Liu, William J. McMahon
EARTH-SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alexander G. Liu, Frances S. Dunn
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Jack J. Matthews, Alexander G. Liu, Chuan Yang, Duncan McIlroy, Bruce Levell, Daniel J. Condon
Summary: The Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve in southeastern Newfoundland is a significant site for Ediacaran fossils, offering crucial insights into the rise and diversification of early animals. This study presents radioisotopic ages derived from volcanic tuffites in the Conception and St. John's Groups, providing important chronological information for understanding the evolution of these ancient organisms. The research combines stratigraphic, paleontological, and geochronological approaches to create a holistic, time-calibrated record of evolution during the mid-late Ediacaran Period.
GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA BULLETIN
(2021)
Editorial Material
Biology
Rachel Wood, Philip C. J. Donoghue, Timothy M. Lenton, Alexander G. Liu, Simon W. Poulton
Article
Biology
Emily G. Mitchell, Nikolai Bobkov, Natalia Bykova, Alavya Dhungana, Anton Kolesnikov, Ian R. P. Hogarth, Alexander G. Liu, Tom M. R. Mustill, Nikita Sozonov, Vladimir Rogov, Shuhai Xiao, Dmitriy Grazhdankin
Article
Paleontology
Alexander G. Liu, Benjamin H. Tindal
Summary: The study revealed new macrofossils from the Bonavista Peninsula in Newfoundland, Canada, with an age predating previously reported fossils from Avalonia and extending the window for macroscopic organism preservation. This finding confirms the long stratigraphical range of Palaeopascichnid fossils globally, providing insights into the age of poorly time-constrained stratigraphical units and the formal subdivision of the Ediacaran System in Norway and Australia.
Article
Geology
William J. McMahon, Alexander G. Liu, Benjamin H. Tindal, Maarten G. Kleinhans
JOURNAL OF SEDIMENTARY RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
William J. McMahon, Neil S. Davies, Alexander G. Liu, David J. Went
Summary: Arumberia is an enigmatic sedimentary texture found in ancient strata, characterized by parallel ridges and grooves. It is believed to be the remains of extinct filamentous organisms, possibly microbial or algal, that lived in shallow water environments.
GEOLOGICAL MAGAZINE
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Catherine E. Boddy, Emily G. Mitchell, Andrew Merdith, Alexander G. Liu
Summary: The influence of paleolatitude on the spatial distribution of late Ediacaran macrobiota was investigated using two paleogeographical reconstructions, revealing significant differences in the distribution of certain morphogroups between low and high paleolatitudes. This highlights the importance of considering paleolatitudinal influences when analyzing trends in Ediacaran taxon distributions.
JOURNAL OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Frances S. Dunn, Alexander G. Liu, Dmitriy Grazhdankin, Philip Vixseboxse, Joseph Flannery-Sutherland, Emily Green, Simon Harris, Philip R. Wilby, Philip C. J. Donoghue
Summary: Researchers characterized the development of Charnia masoni and established its affinity with rangeomorphs in the Ediacaran macrobiota, providing evidence for their internal interconnected nature. The study revealed that Charnia was constructed of repeated branches and proposed homology between disparate rangeomorph taxa. By resolving Charnia as a stem-eumetazoan, the research expanded on the anatomical disparity of that group and brought competing records of early animal evolution into closer agreement.
Article
Paleontology
Frances S. Dunn, Philip R. Wilby, Charlotte G. Kenchington, Dmitriy V. Grazhdankin, Philip C. J. Donoghue, Alexander G. Liu
PAPERS IN PALAEONTOLOGY
(2019)