试论宏体植物的早期演化

概述了地史早期宏体植物化石的记录。从细胞群体到组织-器官构造有大约11 亿年的漫长进化史。蓝田植物群和庙河生物群标志着震旦晚期(大约7-5.4 亿年间)发生了宏体植物演化史上的一次大辐射,非矿化、弱矿化、和矿化的高级藻类出现。寒武纪发生了另一次辐射。非矿化藻类是最有发展前途的类群,可能直接导致了维管植物的出现。     

Generic distinguishing characteristics and stratigraphic ranges of fossil corallines: An update

Corallines or coralline algae are carbonate secreting and strongly calcified red algae of the order Corallinales of division Rhodophyta. Architecturally, the corallines have two groups, the nongeniculate and geniculate coralline forms. Corallines are used as a potential tool for paleoecology, paleoenvironments and paleobathymetry. Coralline algae are builder of porous and permeable carbonate reservoir rocks for hydrocarbon and reefs rich in hydrocarbon. The old approach, ca. prior to 1977, of taxonomy of fossil coralline genera has been replaced by the modern approach that established during the last decade using certain distinguishing features such as arrangement of basal filaments, cell fusions, conceptacle perforations and orientation of filaments around conceptacles of living corallines. The earliest confirmed fossil record of coralline algae is from the Hauterivian (Early Cretaceous) and from the Hauterivian to the Pleistocene 9 nongeniculate coralline genera, namely Distichoplax, Lithophyllum, Lithoporella, Lithothamnion, Mesophyllum, Neogoniolithon, Phymatolithon, Spongites and Sporolithon and 7 geniculate genera, viz. Amphiroa, Arthrocardia, Calliarthron, Corallina, Jania, Metagoniolithon and Subterraniphyllum having different stratigraphic ranges are unequivocally known as fossils. After 1977, we do not have a comprehensive publication giving the generic distinguishing characteristics and stratigraphic ranges of both nongeniculate and geniculate corallines. The present paper gives an update of distinguishing characteristics of fossil coralline algal genera and their stratigraphic ranges.     

The seagrass skeletal assemblage from modern to fossil and from tropical to temperate: Insight from Maldivian and Mediterranean examples

Seagrasses are marine angiosperms that form extensive submarine meadows in the photic zone where carbonate producing biota dwell as epiphytes on the leaves or as infaunal forms, and act as prolific carbonate sediment factories. Because seagrasses have a low preservation potential and records of exceptionally well‐preserved and plant material from marine settings are rare, these palaeoenvironments are difficult to identify in the rock record. Consequently, sedimentological and palaeontological proxies are the main indicators of the presence of seagrass‐dominated ecosystems. This work investigates the skeletal assemblage of Modern (Maldivian and western Mediterranean) and fossil (Eocene; Apula and Oman carbonate platforms and Oligocene; Malta platform) seagrass examples to characterize the skeletal assemblage of modern and fossil seagrasses. Two main types of grains, calcareous algae and foraminifera, constitute around 50% of the bioclastic sediment in both tropical Maldivian and temperate Mediterranean scenarios. However, in the tropical setting they are represented by green algae (Halimeda), while in the Mediterranean they are represented by corallinacean red algae. In contrast, in the Eocene examples, the foraminifera are the most conspicuous group and the green algae are also abundant. The opposite occurs in the Maltese Chattian, which is dominated by coralline algae (mean 42%), although the foraminifera are still abundant. It is suggested to use the term foralgal to identify the seagrass skeletal assemblage. To discriminate between red algae and green algae dominance, the introduction of the prefixes ‘GA’ (green algae) and ‘RA’ (red algae) is proposed. The investigated examples provide evidence that the green algae–foralgal assemblage is typical of tropical, not excessively dense seagrass meadows, characterized by a well‐illuminated substrate to support the development and calcification of the Halimeda thallus. Contrarily, the red algae‐foralgal assemblage is typical of high density tropical to subtropical seagrass meadows which create very dense oligophotic conditions on the sea floor or in temperate settings where Halimeda cannot calcify.     

A laboratory flume investigation of the formation of fossil stem fills

The mechanism of formation of fossil plant ‘pith casts’ has been investigated experimentally using a small laboratory flume tank. The extent to which filling occurs is dependent on stem length and diameter, and on the current velocity. Stem fills produced by sediment carried in suspension show a distinct structure of two wedges of sediment deposited at either end of the stem cavity. These wedges are deposited from small flow vortices which form when the flow around the stem separates, as the flow through the stem becomes restricted. Stems filled by bedload currents do not show such a uniform structure. The experimentally produced stem fills are comparable with fossil pith casts, e.g. Catamites. The formation of cortical casts of Stigmaria is not simply explained in terms of the processes operating in open-ended stem segments. This investigation of the mechanics of filling of hollow plant organs, and the structure of the fill produced, offers a basis for interpreting the sedimentary environment in which the fossil fills have formed, and leads to a fuller understanding of the mode of formation of such fossils.     

Microbial Mats in Tibetan Hot Springs and their Contributions to the Cesium‐bearing Geyserite Ore Formation

Microbial mats, mainly dominated by filamentous algae Calothrix and Oscillatoria, are well developed in Tibetan hot springs. A great number of fossil microorganisms, which existed as algae lamination in thermal depositional cesium-bearing geyserite in this area, are identified as Calothrix and Oscillatoria through microexamination and culture experiments. These microbial mats show the ability to accumulate cesium from spring water to the extent of cesium concentration of 0.46–1.03% cell dry weight, 900 times higher than that in water, and capture large numbers of cesium-bearing opal grain. Silicon dioxide colloid in spring water replaces and fills with the organism and deposits on it to form algae laminated geyserite after dehydration and congelation. Cesium in the microbial mats and opal grain is then reserved in the geyserite. Eventually, cesium-bearing algae laminated geyserite is formed. Study on cesium distribution in geyserite also shows that cesium content in algae lamination, especially in heavily compacted algae lamination, is higher than in the opal layer. For geyserite with no algae lamination or other organism structure, which is generally formed in spring water with low silicon content, cesium accumulation and cesium-bearing opal grain assembled by the microbial mats are also indispensable. After the microbial mats accumulating cesium from spring water, silicon dioxide colloid poorly replaces and fills with the organism to form opal grain-bearing tremellose microbial mats. The shape and structure of the organisms are then destroyed, resulting in cesium-bearing geyserite with no algae lamination structure after dehydration and congelation. It is then concluded that microbial mats in the spring area contribute to the enrichment of cesium in the formation of cesium-bearing geyserite, and a biological genesis of the geyserite, besides of the physical and chemical genesis, is likely.     

Organic geochemistry of impactites from the Haughton impact structure, Devon Island, Nunavut, Canada

Organic matter in impactites from the 24 km wide and 39 Ma old Haughton impact structure, Canadian High Arctic, is a mixture of fossil and modern biological components. The fossil component represents a conventional oil that was generated from Lower Palaeozoic marine source material before impact and permeates bedrock dolomites. Biomarker maturity parameters record the thermal effect of the mid-Tertiary impact. Maturity-influenced sterane, rearranged hopanoid, and triaromatic steroid ratios all increase towards the centre of the impact structure, where thermal alteration was greatest. The heating was probably dominated by an impact-related hydrothermal system, as such systems last long enough for kinetically-based thermal alteration to occur. Kinetically-related biomarker data suggest that the hydrothermal heating lasted for c. 5000 years. Biomarkers are also preserved in dolomite clasts within impact melt breccia, and indicate strong thermal alteration. Modern biological contamination of the rocks is responsible for the superposition of two geochemical signatures (which could be cyanobacteria, non-marine algae, or higher plant matter) onto the fossil component, but they can be recognized and distinguished. The data show that the impact structure system holds a record of both the pre-impact organic signature and the thermal signature of the impact, and thereby indicates that organic geochemistry is a valuable tool in documenting the response of rocks to impacts.     

A new amber deposit from the Cretaceous (uppermost Albian-lowermost Cenomanian) of southwestern France

A Cretaceous amber deposit has recently been discovered in a quarry of Charente-Maritime (southwestern France), at Cadeuil. This paper presents the sedimentary and palaeoenvironmental settings of the uppermost Albian-lowermost Cenomanian series including the amber deposit. A preliminary analysis of the amber samples reveals diverse fossil arthropods (a few mites and at least 20 insect families within 9 orders), as well as numerous micro-organisms, mainly algae and mycelia. A myceloid colony of bacteria, a flagellate algae and four especially well preserved insects are illustrated (Diptera Dolichopodidae, Diptera Chironomidae, Hymenoptera Parasitica, and Heteroptera Tingidae). The abundance of the limnic micro-organisms is discussed in terms of bloom events. Their relative scarcity in almost all the amber pieces containing fossil arthropods is attributed to differences in the origin of resin: production along trunk and branches for amber with arthropods; production by aquatic roots for amber rich in algae. The absence of pollen and spores in amber is attributed to differences in the respective periods of resin and palynomorph production, which may be related to a seasonal climate during the Albian-Cenomanian transition in Western Europe.     

Molar-Tooth构造成因争论分析

综述了Molar-Tooth的时空分布及其形态特征,Molar-Tooth为元古代时期全球性的一种构造现象.其成因,地质学家们已争论了一个多世纪,直到今天还未取得一致的认识.归纳前人的研究成果,初步认为Molar-Tooth的成因与藻类等生物活动有关.     

湘西震旦纪武陵山生物群的化石形态学特征和归属

湘西桃源理公港震旦系留茶坡组中部黑色页岩中的炭质压膜化石,为研究末前寒武纪晚期生物学提供了一个稀有的布吉斯页岩型分类学窗口。根据已知属种和新获材料的研究,确定了17个明显的形态类型,讨论了每种形态类型特征及其可能的生物学属性,指出除个别化石可能为两侧对称动物外,其余绝大多数化石可以解释为原核生物或多细胞藻类,系统发育上与绿藻、褐藻、蓝藻细菌等相关。具固着器、叶状体为球状或具同心纹构造的Apsidiumsphaericus的发现,进一步证明典型埃迪卡拉动物群(或白海生物群)中简单的圆盘状化石可能为多细胞藻类,而不是水母。武陵山生物群中具同心纹结构的大型圆盘状化石的出现及其共生生物特点,指示该生物群是埃迪卡拉期生物分异发展阶段的产物,是末前寒武纪晚期一个以多细胞藻类发育为特色的新型生物群。     

Fossil Association from the Lower Cambrian Yanjiahe Formation in the Yangtze Gorges Area, Hubei, South China

Apart from previously reported Small Shelly Fossils (SSFs), a macroscopic fossil assemblage, comprising abundant algae, cone-shaped tubular fossil forms, and probable impressions of a megascopic metazoan, comes from the Lower Cambrian Yanjiahe Formation in the Yangtze Gorges area of western Hubei Province, south China. The visible fossils are preserved in thin-laminated siltstone or muddy siltstone intercalated between 8–15 mm-thick carbonate deposits, probably representing sedimentary settings of a constrained local depression in the shallow water carbonate platform during the Early Cambrian Meishucunian Stage. The macroscopic fossil association provides significant fossil evidence about the evolution of life from the late Precambrian to the ‘Cambrian explosion’ interval.     

辽河断陷滩海区海月潜山带地层关系与时代探讨

针对海月潜山带一套碳酸盐岩及碎屑岩的潜山地层,本文通过区域地层对比,结合主频分析,从岩性组合特征、层序结构、化石等方面综合研究,依据该套地层以白云质碳酸盐岩为主、藻类结构发育、变质石英砂岩成岩作用强、火山岩呈夹层产出等特征,明确潜山地层时代和探井相对关系,首次确定海月潜山带潜山地层为中元古界长城系大洪峪组至高于庄组。这一成果改变了以往将该套地层划为古生界奥陶系至石炭系的认识,为重建研究区潜山地层序列、明确该套潜山地层属有利勘探层系提供了宝贵的依据。     

贵州台江中寒武世凯里生物群古生态研究

凯里生物群是世界三大布尔吉斯页岩型生物群之一。本文通过古生物个体埋藏保存情况、古生物个体生态学、沉积学和地球化学等的研究和分析,认为凯里生物群中大部分分子是从异地搬运到陆棚环境埋藏的。同时,提出了凯里生物群的埋藏机理模式和生态复原图。     

On the experimental silicification of microorganisms II. On the time of appearance of eukaryotic organisms in the fossil record

On the basis of ultrastructural, biochemical and genetic studies, bacteria and blue green algae (Kingdom Monera, all prokaryotes) differ unambiguously from the eukaryotic organisms (Fungi, plants sensu stricto) and protists or protoctists, (Copeland, 1956). The gap between eukaryotes and prokaryotes is recognized as the most profound evolutionary discontinuity in the living world. This gap is reflected in the fossil record. Fossil remains of Archaean and Proterozoic Aeons primarily consist of prokaryotes and the Phanerozoic is overwhelmingly characterized by fossils of the megascopic eukaryotic groups, both metazoa and metaphyta. Based on the morphological interpretation of microscopic objects structurally preserved in Precambrian cherts, the time of appearance of remains of eukaryotic organisms in the fossil record has been claimed to be as early as 2.7 · 10⁹ years ago, (Ka?mierczak, 1976). Others suggest chronologies varying between 1.7 to 1.3 · 10⁹ (Schopf et al., 1973) or a time approaching 1.3 · 10⁹ years (Cloud, 1974).There is general agreement that many of the Ediacaran faunas, which have been dated at about 680 m.y. are fossils of megascopic soft-bodied invertebrate animals. Since all invertebrates are eukaryotic, the ca. 680 m.y. date for deposition of these animal assemblages may represent the earliest appearance of eukaryotic organisms. But the question remains as to whether there is definitive evidence for eukaryotic cells before this “benchmark” of the late Precambrian.An excellent discussion of this particular problem as especially relating to acritarchs extending from rocks of Upper Riphean through Vendian and into the basal Cambrian is presented in recent studies by Vidal (1974, 1976) in Late Precambrian microfossils from the Visingsö rocks of southern Sweden.Previous work on the laboratory silicification of wood and algal mat communities (Leo and Barghoorn, 1976) suggested that further analysis of “artificial fossils” might be of aid in the interpretation of fossil morphology toward the ultimate solution of this problem. Thus the procedure developed by one of us (ESB) for laboratory wood silicification was adapted to various smaller objects.By successive immersions of wet cellular aggregates, colonies of various organisms and abiotic organic microspheres in tetraethyl orthosilicate, silicified cells and structures are produced which bear an interesting resemblance to ancient chert-embedded microfossils. Our observation of these microorganisms and proteinoid microspheres silicified in the laboratory as well as of degrading microorganisms, both eukaryotic and prokaryotic, have led us to conclude that many, if not all, of the criteria for assessing fossil eukaryotic microorganisms are subject to serious criticism in interpretation. We studied a large variety of prokaryotic algae, some eukaryotic algae, fungi, protozoa, and abiotic organic microspheres stable at essentially neutral pH. In some cases, degradation and/or silicification systematically altered both size and appearances of microorganisms. By the use of monoalgal cultures of blue-green algae, features resembling nuclei, chloroplasts, tetrads, pyrenoids, and large cell size may be simulated. In many cases individual members of these cultures show so much variation that they may be mistaken as belonging to more than one species. The size ranges for silicified prokaryotic and eukaryotic algae overlap. Several prokaryotes routinely yielded spherical or filamentous structures that resembled large cells. Because of genuine large sizes (e.g., Prochloron), shrinkage, systematic alteration or congregation of unicells to form other structures we find sizes to be of very limited use in determining whether an organism of simple morphology was prokaryotic or eukaryotic. Although some “prebiotic proteinoid microspheres” (of Fox and Harada, 1960) are impossible to silicify with our laboratory methods, those stable at neutral pH (Hsu and Fox, 1976) formed spherical objects that morphologically resemble silicified algae or fungal spores. Many had internal structure. We conclude that even careful morphometric studies of fossil microorganisms are subject to many sources of misinterpretation. Even though it is a logical deduction that eukaryotic microorganisms evolved before Ediacaran time there is no compelling evidence for fossil eukaryotes prior to the late Precambrian metazoans.     

江西弋阳港口盆地林山组地层时代讨论

本文讨论了江西弋阳港口盆地林山组中的植物化石群。根据其组份特征,可确定该地林山组时代为早侏罗世中晚期,可与鄂西香溪组中下部的植物群对比。     

A note on rare structure of fossil coralline algae from the southwest coast of India

The coralline algae (Rhodophyta) are well preserved in the sediments of the Dwarka Formation in and around Porbandar area, southwest coast of India. There are few records of the preservation of genicula in the fossil coralline algae. Three algal fragments with genicula are noted and recorded from the area.     

甘肃省白银地区皋兰岩群微古植物化石新资料及地层时代再认识

1∶25万兰州市幅区域地质调查中,在白银地区的皋兰岩群内采获到以球形藻类为主的微古植物化石,其组合面貌特征明显,广泛见于我国长城系,层位稳定。组合中的部分分子尚显示长城纪—蓟县纪生物演化过渡色彩。含化石地层可与兰州兴隆山地区兴隆山岩群对比。参照同位素测年数据,可将皋兰岩群的时代厘定为中元古代长城纪—蓟县纪。     

西沙群岛石岛根管石特征、成因及地质意义

西沙群岛石岛由第四纪地层构成,包括4个风成生物砂屑灰岩层和3个化石土壤层,生物砂屑灰岩层和化石土壤层相间分布,在化石土壤层中发育根管石。研究表明,根管石在结构构造、成分和沉积成岩变化方面具有三层分带性。其中,内带由泥晶碳酸盐组成,具有泥晶结构,环形纹层或纤维状构造,是原始植物根系交代和石化的结果; 中带和外带均为细粒砂屑结构,块状或层理构造,砂屑颗粒由珊瑚、珊瑚藻、有孔虫、软体动物、棘皮类等古生物化石和砂屑组成,中带钙质胶结较强,中带、外带及寄主岩石多为过渡关系。根管石的中带和外带是植物根系附近微化学成岩环境和后期差异风化作用的产物。西沙群岛石岛存在3个根管石发育层,标志着三期成土作用和植被化作用的存在,反映了气候条件的重大变化。西沙群岛石岛风成生物砂屑灰岩层和化石土壤层的相间分布特征,及CaO/MgO比值、锶元素和有机质含量变化,记录了4个气候演变和风成沉积演化旋回。     

Biogeochemical Model and Simulation of the Effect of Precambrian Algae on the Formation Process of Certain Laminated Cherts

The source of silica in the formation of the Precambrian laminated cherts has long remained a problem to be solved. Through experiments on cherts and living blue-green algae, the authors found that the collected chert samples probably come from primary deposits, and there is a great biomass of fossil algae in chert, among which the filamentous algae can be compared with the living blue-green algae Oscillatoria, that a higher Pco_2 of the gas would be favourable for the increase of the biomass of living blue-green algae and consequently raises the pH value of the water body; and that lack of free oxygen and a higher concentration of SiO_2 in the water have no apparent influence on the biomass of blue-green algae. Based on the evidence above, a biogeochemical model concerning the origin of Precambrian laminated chert has been set up, in which the. photosynthesis of algae under the presumed atmospheric conditions of the Precambrian might raise the pH value of the water body and promote the dissolution of silicate minerals, thus providing a source of colloid SiO_2 for the formation of Precambrian laminated chert.Furthermore, a simulation experiment device has been designed successfully, which can control the temperature(30 ± 0.5°), Pco_2(50662.5 Pa) and Po_2(about zero Pa) of the gas, the rate of photosynthesis of algae and the movement of the water carrying opal. In the simulation experiments, separate measurements have been made on the rate of photosynthesis of algae, pH value and concentration of SiO_2 of the water body, with the results indicating that under the conditions similar to the presumed Precambrian atmosphere, the photosynthesis of algae can make the pH value of the water body go up steadily to over 9.7, leading to the dissolution of the silicate minerals, with the concentration of SiO_2 measured reaching as high as 84 mg/l. Finally, through the vaporation of water, a phenomenon of colloid floccilation has been observed.The simulation experiment has verified the proposed biogeochemical model illustrating the origin of Precambrian laminated chert. Moreover, the device and method of its kind may also be applied to the research on the relationship of the Precambrian algae with the formation of some other mineral deposits such as of Fe, Mn, U and carbonates.     

电子自旋共振（ESR）化石测年研究

对ＥＳＫ测年样品的累积剂量和剂量率测量进行了讨论，并对化石样品年龄及其误差计算模式进行了探讨。对北京猿人洞牙化石釉质层的铡年研究表明，年龄数据稳定可靠，可与有关测年法结果对比。ＥＳＲ化石测年法已成为当前唯一能直接测定化石年龄大于４０万年的测年方法，对古人类演化研究具有重大意义。     

Hydrous pyrolysis of Scenedesmus algae and algaenan-like residue

Algae are regarded as the form of biomass most likely to provide sufficient quantities of fuels without impacting our food supplies. Studies investigating the potential of hydrothermal treatment of algae to produce biofuels show that, in many instances, the produced oils do not resemble crude oils and have a high heteroatom content. In this study, Scenedesmus spp. algae and isolated algaenan, a type of biopolymeric cell wall in certain algae and an important precursor to some kerogens, are subjected to hydrous pyrolysis in efforts to mimic the thermal maturation occurring in sediments as a proxy for biofuels production. Our study shows that algaenan can be subjected to hydrous pyrolysis to yield a hydrocarbon rich mixture that resembles many fossil fuel crude oils. More importantly, separation of the algaenan prior to the hydrothermal treatment can yield a paraffin rich crude requiring little additional processing to attempt to reproduce the geological process that gave us crude oils from ancient Type I kerogen. Although it requires algaenan isolation as a prerequisite, this could be a first step in the direction of producing oils without need for further upgrading. Whole algae, however, yield additional oxygenated products derived from oxygenated biopolymers even though the paraffins derived from algaenan dominate.