Biogenic Activity Research Articles

Counting the non-CO<SUB align="right">2 diversion of biogenic carbon: an improvement suggested for the UNFCCC methodology

UNFCCC has developed a software to support non-Annex I parties for preparation of their national GHG inventories. This paper identifies a weakness in the software on double counting of some GHG emissions. Most of the biogenic activities, livestock, rice cultivation, use of biomass, etc. are carbon neutral. However, these activities emit CH4 and CO consuming atmospheric CO2. The UNFCCC software counts CH4 and CO emissions without adjusting the consumed CO2. GHG inventory of Pakistan was prepared for the year 2008 with the help of this software and guidelines of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The biogenic CH4 emissions, 34% of the 2008 GHG inventory, consumed 3.16 million tonnes of atmospheric carbon. The deduction of this carbon reduces the GHG inventory by 3.74%. This paper suggests improvements in the software to enhance the accuracy of GHG inventories.

The state of biogenic monoamine metabolism and processes of their oxidative deamination in patients with gastrocancerogenesis

Biogenic monoamines metabolism and activity of oxidative deamination and their prognostic significance were investigated in patients with gastrocarcinogenesis. Investigation showed dynamic changes in serum levels of biogenic monoamines and activity of platelet MAO-B. Serum dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, DOPA levels decreased, respectively, for II, III and IV stages of gastric cancer. An increase of serotonin and monoamine oxidase activity was observed. Analysis of obtained data showed inhibition of ergotropic body functions, activation of trophotropic processes and processes of biogenic amines deamination were observed in gastric cancer, which might be one of the major reasons for the accumulation of serum ammonia, aldehydes and peroxides-oxidizing agents and endotoxins.

Petro-mineralogical Studies of the Paleoproterozoic Phosphorites in the Sonrai basin, Lalitpur District, Uttar Pradesh, India

The Paleoproterozoic phosphorites constitute an economically significant component of the Sonrai basin of Lalitpur district. These are associated with ferruginous shale, ironstone, limestone and quartz breccia. Petro-mineralogical studies of samples of the phosphorites, using X-ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy, reveal that the collophane (carbonate-fluorapatite) is the dominant phosphate mineral. Calcite, dolomite, quartz, mica and haematite are the dominant gangue constituents. The phosphate minerals occur as oolites mutually replaced by carbonate and silica. The presence of iron oxides has been found in most of the thin sections. There is meagre evidence of organic matter in the form of filaments of microbial phosphate laminae in the samples of phosphorite. The mineral assemblages, their texture and various forms in these phosphorites may be due to some environmental vicissitudes followed by replacement processes and biogenic activities.

Effect of Stimulants on Biogenic Methane Formation and Dynamics of Bacterial Population

Coal bed methane (CBM) is a renewable energy source produced through thermogenic and biogenic activity during the coal formation process. The aim of this research was to stimulate biogenic methane formation using simple carbon as stimulant. The microcosm set-up was done using subbituminous coal at 37°C in an anaerobic chamber. Stimulation with Na-acetate, methanol, formic acid, and no additions, respectively, was carried out for 54 days; observation took place on day 2, 15, 24, 45, and54. The results of all treatments showed differences in the initial pH of the basal medium: 7.76 (Na-acetate), 6.69 (methanol), 4.06 (formic acid), and 8.95 (no stimultant), respectively. Addition of Na-acetate resulted in the highest methane formation rate (5.034 mmol/g coal on day 24 of incubation), followed by methanol (4.377 mmol/g on day 24 of incubation), formic acid (2.520 mmol/g on day 22 of incubation), and no addition (1.2 mmol/g on day 15 of incubation). Using denatured gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) it was observed that the microbial population dynamics of the microcosm depended on the stimulant. A decrease of bands indicated that the addition of Na-acetate and methanol had caused a decrease of bacterial diversity during the stimulation process compared to the control treatment (without stimulant).

Diagenetic origin of ironstone crusts in the Lower Cenomanian Bahariya Formation, Bahariya Depression, Western Desert, Egypt

In this paper, a new interpretation of the ironstone crusts of the Bahariya Formation as late diagenetic products is provided. The siliciclastic Lower Cenomanian Bahariya Formation outcropping in the northern part of the Bahariya Depression (Western Desert, Egypt) is subdivided into three informal units that are mainly composed of thinly laminated siltstone, cross-bedded and massive sandstone, fossiliferous sandstone/sandy limestone and variegated shale. Abundant ironstone crusts occur preferentially within its lower and upper units but are absent in the middle unit. The ironstone crusts show selective replacement of carbonate components, including calcretes, by iron oxyhydroxides. More permeable parts of the terrigenous beds such as burrow traces, subaerial exposure surfaces, concretionary features and soft-sediment deformation structures led to heterogeneous distribution of the iron oxyhydroxides.A variety of diagenetic minerals, where goethite and hematite are the main end-products, were characterized by mineralogical analysis (XRD), petrography and SEM observation, and geochemical determinations (EMPA). Other diagenetic minerals include Fe-dolomite/ankerite, siderite, manganese minerals, barite, silica, illite/smectite mixed-layer, and bitumen. These minerals are interpreted to be formed in different diagenetic stages. Some minerals, especially those formed during eodiagenesis, show features indicative of biogenic activity. During burial, dolomite and ankerite replaced preferentially the depositional carbonates and infilled secondary porosity as well. Also during mesodiagenesis, the decomposition of organic matter resulted in the formation of bitumen and created reducing conditions favorable for the mobilization of iron-rich fluids in divalent stage. Telodiagenesis of the Cenomanian Bahariya deposits took place during the Turonian–Santonian uplift of the region. This resulted in partial or total dissolution of Fe-dolomite and ankerite which was concomitant to iron oxyhydroxide precipitation upon mixing with shallow oxygenated water.Circulation of reducing iron-rich fluids through fractures and inter and intrastratal discontinuities is proposed as an alternative model to explain the controversial source of iron for the ironstone crusts of the Bahariya Formation. The origin of iron-rich fluids is probably related to the basement rocks. The provided model relates the fluid movements through fractures and discontinuities with the preferential replacement of carbonates. This combination of processes is consistent with the heterogeneous geometries and the wide distribution of the ironstones.

Temporal variations in rainwater methanol

Abstract. This work reports the first comprehensive analysis of methanol concentrations in rainwater. Methanol concentrations measured in 49 rain events collected between 28 August 2007 and 10 July 2008 in Wilmington, NC, USA, ranged from below the detection limit of 6 nM to 9.3 μM with a volume-weighted average concentration of 1 ± 0.2 μM. Methanol concentrations in rainwater were up to ~200 times greater than concentrations reported previously in marine waters, indicating wet deposition as a potentially significant source of methanol to marine waters. Assuming that these methanol concentrations are an appropriate proxy for global methanol rainwater concentrations, the global methanol wet deposition sink is estimated as 20 Tg yr−1, which implies that previous methanol budgets underestimate removal by precipitation. Methanol concentrations in rainwater did not correlate significantly with H+, NO3−, and NSS, which suggests that the dominant source of the alcohol to rainwater is not anthropogenic. However, methanol concentrations were strongly correlated with acetaldehyde, which has a primarily biogenic input. The methanol volume-weighted concentration during the summer (2.7 ± 0.9 μM) was ~3 times that of the winter (0.9 ± 0.2 μM), further promoting biogenic emissions as the primary cause of temporal variations of methanol concentrations. Methanol concentrations peaked in rainwater collected during the time period 12 p.m.–6 p.m. Peaking during this period of optimal sunlight implies a possible relationship with photochemical methanol production, but there are also increases in biogenic activity during this time period. Rain events with terrestrial origin had greater concentrations than those of marine origin, demonstrating the significance of the continental source of methanol in rainwater.

Petrographic Characteristics of the Proterozoic Vempalle Carbonates, Cuddapah Basin, India and their Implications

Abstract: The Vempalle Formation of the Proterozoic Cuddapah basin has a well developed sequence of carbonate rocks, which are interbedded with shales, siltstones and chert. The stromatolitic carbonates are conspicuous at many places but the oolitic carbonates are less prominent and are present only in some areas. All the carbonates are pervasively dolomitized. Petrographic examination of these carbonates revealed that they are predominantly made up of fine grained micrite with patchy development of sparite and chert/quartz. The stromatolitic carbonates show distinct banding of alternate carbonate and cherty layers. The latter are rich in organic matter indicating prevalence of profuse biogenic activity. The oolitic carbonates comprise of ooids showing both concentric and radial patterns and made up of carbonate/ chert and cemented by micro/mega quartz or carbonate itself. Diagenetic and post depositional features are reflected in cementation, recrystallization, compaction, stylolite formation and silicification processes. Various stages of cementing material are observed. Secondary vein fillings of carbonate or quartz traverse the carbonate/cherty groundmass. Intraclasts present suggest occasional erosional destruction of associated sediments, short lived transport and local redeposition. Accessory silicate minerals represent terrigenous influx during deposition. Dolomitization of the carbonates was fabric retentive and early diagenetic. The environmental conditions were characterised by low energy, within a shallow water zone, in occasional higher energy events and turbulence. The carbonates appear to have been deposited on a shallow water ramp within a tidal regime.

EOF와 SVD을 이용한 아프리카 지역에서 관측된 OMI HCHO 자료의 검증

We have found an error in the operational OMI HCHO columns, and corrected it by applying a background parameterization derived on a 4th order polynomial fit to the time series of monthly average OMI HCHO data. The corrected OMI HCHO agrees with this understanding as well as with the other sensors measurements and has no unrealistic trends. A new scientific approach, statistical analyses with EOF and SVD, was adapted to reanalyze the consistency of the corrected OMI HCHO with other satellite measurements of HCHO, CO, NO 2 , and fire counts over Africa. The EOF and SVD analyses with MOPITT CO, OMI NO 2 , SCIAMAHCY, and OMI HCHO show the overall spatial and temporal pattern consistent with those of biomass burning over these regions. However, some discrepancies were observed from OMI HCHO over northern equatorial Africa during the northern biomass burning seasons: The maximum HCHO was found further downwind from where maximum fire counts occur and the minimum was found in January when biomass burning is strongest. The statistical analysis revealed that the influence of biogenic activity on HCHO wasn’t strong enough to cause the discrepancies, but it is caused by the error in OMI HCHO from using the wrong Air Mass Factor (AMF) associated with biomass burning aerosol. If the error is properly taken into consideration, the biomass burning is the strongest source of HCHO seasonality over the regions. This study suggested that the statistical tools are a very efficient method for evaluating satellite data.

THE EFFECT OF WATER/CEMENT RATIO ON THE SULFATE CORROSION OF FINE GRAINED CONCRETE

Sulfate corrosion is one of the major threats for durability of concrete constructions and it becomes a major destructor in sewage collection systems where concrete sewer pipes are exposed to sulfates from waste water as well as from biogenic activity of bacteria. The second type of corrosion is termed microbiologically induced concrete corrosion (MICC) and during this process the pH of the surface of concrete sewer pipes is reduced and it may lead to steel depassivation and results in the corrosion of this steel reinforcement. This paper is focused on the sulfate attack on fine grained concrete where the effect of 0.5% sulfuric acid emulating MICC and also effect of solution simulating sewage water on the concrete samples with three different water/cement ratios (w/c = 0.4, 0.45 and 0.5) have been investigated. After 1, 3 and 6 months of the corrosive treatment the content of sulfate ions and pH values in several layers of specimens were determined. It was found that the sulfate ions penetrate into concrete to maximum depth of 20 mm and the pH of the aqueous leaches of particular layers of the samples was reduced to 11.92 at the most. Thus, the conditions for the depassivation of reinforcement were not met.

Molecular markers in ambient aerosol in the Mahanadi Riverside Basin of eastern central India during winter.

Organic molecular markers are important atmospheric constituents. Their formation and sources are important aspects of the study of urban and rural air quality. We collected PM10 aerosol samples from the Mahanadi Riverside Basin (MRB), a rural part of eastern central India, during the winter of 2011. PM10 aerosols were characterized for molecular markers using ion chromatography. The concentration of PM10 ranged from 208.8 to 588.3 μg m(-3) with a mean concentration of 388.9 μg m(-3). Total concentration of anhydrosugars, sugar alcohols, primary sugars, and oxalate were found to be 3.25, 5.60, 10.52, and 0.37 μg m(-3), respectively, during the study period. Glucose was the most abundant species followed by levoglucosan and mannitol. Significant positive correlation between the molecular markers, anhydrosugars, sugar alcohols, primary sugars, and oxalic acid confirmed that biomass burning, biogenic activity, and re-suspension of soil particles were the main sources of aerosol in the eastern central India study area.

Formation of recent Pb-Ag-Au mineralization by potential sub-surface microbial activity.

Las Cruces is a base-metal deposit in the Iberian Pyrite Belt, one of the world's best-known ore provinces. Here we report the occurrence of major Pb-Ag-Au mineralization resulting from recent sub-surface replacement of supergene oxyhydroxides by carbonate and sulphide minerals. This is probably the largest documented occurrence of recent microbial activity producing an ore assemblage previously unknown in supergene mineralizing environments. The presence of microbial features in the sulphides suggests that these may be the first-described natural bacteriomorphs of galena. The low δ(13)C values of the carbonate minerals indicate formation by deep anaerobic microbial processes. Sulphur isotope values of sulphides are interpreted here as reflecting microbial reduction in a system impoverished in sulphate. We suggest that biogenic activity has produced around 3.1 × 10(9) moles of reduced sulphur and 10(10) moles of CO2, promoting the formation of ca. 1.19 Mt of carbonates, 114,000 t of galena, 638 t of silver sulphides and 6.5 t of gold.

Origin and palaeo-environmental significance of the Berrazales carbonate spring deposit, North of Gran Canaria Island, Spain

The Berrazales carbonate spring deposit is a small outcrop constituted mainly by cascade-like geometries. Four main facies have been identified: fibrous dense macrocrystalline formed by rapid degassing under high-flow conditions; framestones of coated plant moulds formed in moderate energy flow favoured by the presence of biogenic support; micrite/microsparite are primary precipitates in which crystalline aggregates nucleated on organic filaments and/or EPS; banded micrite-coarse crystalline were the result of alternating physically, chemically and biologically induced precipitation in areas of varying flow-velocities. Most facies underwent different degrees of micritization processes. Micrite is distributed as thin lines penetrating the crystals, as irregular patches or as micrite layers. In the first case organic filaments penetrate crystals, suggesting that micritization is mainly biogenically driven. In the latter cases micritization is caused mostly by partial dissolution. Microbe participation in micrite formation increased micrite MgCO3 content in comparison with coarse crystalline facies.Isotopic analyses show positive δ13C values (+2.63 and +4.29‰ VPDB) and negative δ18O (−5.65 and −4.48‰ VPDB) values. Positive δ13C values clearly indicate “deep-sourced” fluids.The Berrazales spring deposit studied here very probably is a small part of a larger carbonate building that was largely eroded by fluvial incision. Calculations of spring water temperature give a range from 20°C to 35°C, characteristic of a cold to warm spring favouring precipitation of calcite and important biogenic activity (framestones). Although the study deposit has textural characteristics of tufas, proving that the CO2 sourced from deep fluids, it should be considered as thermogene travertine, being one more example of the difficulty of using those terms for ancient sedimentary deposits. Carbonate spring deposits, very rare in the Canary Islands, are good archives of recent volcanic activity, fluvial processes and vegetation regimes prevailing in the islands in recent times.

Fog chemistry at three sites in Norway

Fog composition was investigated at three sites in Norway, one in suburban Oslo and two coastal sites in the area of the Mongstad refinery. Overall fog frequency during the study periods was low. Fog pH was around 5 with slightly lower values at Hakadal, the suburban site, compared to the coastal sites, which were slightly above 5. Major ions at the coastal sites were sodium and chloride consistent with the marine environment. The ion chemistry at the suburban site was dominated by ammonium, sulfate and nitrate, consistent with fogs in anthropogenically impacted environments. Overall concentrations of major ions were very low, orders of magnitude lower than those in polluted urban fogs. Organic matter concentrations were also low (<3mgC/L) consistent with limited anthropogenic impact and little biogenic activity in the winter months. Selected amine concentrations were determined and ranged from nanomolar concentrations for ethylamines to several hundred nanomolar concentrations for dimethylamine, the most abundant amine investigated. While N-nitrosodimehylamine was detected in fog, the concentrations were very low in the fogs.

The sediment properties of glacial diamicts from the Jutulsessen area of Gjelsvikfjella, East Antarctica: A reflection of source materials and regional climate

The glacial diamicts deposited in the Jutulsessen area of Gjelsvikfjella, Dronning Maud Land, East Antarctica show the effects of localized meltwater channels and wind processes, as well as of the dominant glacial processes. These glacial sediments are characterized by poor sorting and a variable mean particle size, and the localized meltwater channels have removed silt- and clay-sized sediments, resulting in the relative enrichment of coarser sediments. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of clay minerals in samples collected across the study area show very similar characteristics. Biotite is the dominant mica mineral in the clay together with chlorite and K-feldspar. The presence of illite, and small amounts of smectite, demonstrates the limited extent of chemical weathering due to the cold and arid conditions. The samples from the glacial fan area contain mixed-layer clays, suggesting the effects of localized meltwater and limited chemical activity which has altered the crystal structure of biotite at lower topographic level. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of surface microtextures from representative quartz grains suggest the dominance of glacial and glaciofluvial processes. The low rates of biogenic activity in this area are indicated by the low total organic carbon (TOC) content of the sediments.

(U–Th)/He geochronology of goethite and the origin and evolution of cangas

(U–Th)/He geochronology of 147 grains of goethite cements extracted from ferruginous duricrusts (cangas) developed on banded iron-formations from the Quadrilátero Ferrífero region, Minas Gerais, Brazil, records a history of protracted mineral dissolution–reprecipitation that started at ca. 48.1±4.8Ma and continues intermittently until the Present. A large majority of the samples (more than 30%) are younger than 2Ma, revealing active mineral dissolution–reprecipitation in the recent past. Within cangas, goethite cements are younger near the surface and become progressively older towards the bottom of the weathering profile, indicating that iron is more effectively cycled in the parts of the weathering profile more strongly affected by biogenic activity. (U–Th)/He geochronology of 14 goethite grains from saprolites in the same profiles yield results ranging from 55.3±5.5 to 25.7±2.6Ma. For a single weathering profile, goethite cements from cangas are invariably younger than goethite grains from the underlying saprolite, indicating that the duricrust and the saprolite behave as independent and separate systems responding to different environmental controls. Thorium shows conservative behaviour during goethite dissolution–reprecipitation, and it is enriched towards the surface of the weathering profile. Uranium, on the other hand, is preferentially leached from the surface into the saprolite or out of the weathering profile. Recurrent goethite dissolution–reprecipitation lends great textural complexities to cangas, but it is also responsible for its capacity to reheal when physically disrupted. This self-healing property accounts for canga’s role in armoring banded iron-formation landscapes.

Petrology and Stable Isotope (S, C, O) Studies of Selected Sediment-hosted Basemetal Ore Deposits in the Proterozoic Aravalli-Delhi Fold Belt, Rajasthan

Abstract: An integrated mineralogical-geochemical and stable isotopic study of Pb-Zn deposits located at Kayar-Ghugra (Zn-Pb ± Ag), Rampura-Agucha (Zn-Pb, Ag), Dariba-Bethumni (Zn-Pb) and Zawar (Pb-Zn ± Cd, Ag) in Rajasthan is presented in this paper. The Kayar Zn-Pb deposit hosted by (i) phlogopite-tremolite bearing dolomitic carbonates and (ii) scapolite bearing calc-silicates, both belonging to Mesoproterozoic Delhi Supergroup exhibit distinctly different δ13C signatures being close to zero permil for the former reflecting deposition in pristine marine environment and much depleted isotopic values for the latter possibly related to post-depositional alterations. The Zn-Pb sulphides of Agucha, hosted in amphibolite facies to lower granulite facies metasedimentary units belonging to the Bhilwara Supergroup have δ34S values that indicate (i) H2S dominated regime characterized by low fO2, low pH, wherein the δ34S (fluid) responsible for mineralisation approximates the δ34S (sulphide); (ii) the role of seawater in the generation of Agucha ores; (iii) the process of a low temperature oxidation of sulphides in the hydrothermal fluids resulting in the formation of sulphate, by the interaction of ground water; (iv) isotopic disequilibrium in sulphate-sulphide pairs that explain oxidation of H2S by acid groundwater (low pH) and deposition of sulphides at higher temperatures and (v) equilibrium isotopic fractionation of the coexisting sulphides reflecting in a higher concentration of H2S (&amp;gt;10-5m) in relation to the total metal content in the hydrothermal fluid (mH2S≥mSmetals ). Accordingly the concentration of sulphide-sulphate in the hydrothermal solution responsible for the mineralization in Agucha exceeds that of total metals. The sulphides of Bethumni-Rajpura-Dariba belt hosted in low to medium grade siliceous carbonates has a marginally positive (mean of +1.5‰) δ13C values. At Sindeswar, broad and widely scattered δ34S values indicate a polymodal sedimentary source of sulphur that recrystallised at rather low temperature of &amp;lt; 50°C possibly during the processes of low temperature bacterial reduction. The C and O-isotopic studies on mineralized and non-mineralized carbonates reveal (i) normal marine depositional signatures for non-mineralized carbonates with possible minor influence of biogenic carbon during deposition and (ii) ore zone carbonates exhibit depleted δ13C values presumably due either to the deeper mantle-like source of carbonates or due to post-depositional equilibration with isotopically light meteoric waters. In Zawar belt, sulphides hosted in dolomitic carbonate indicated (i) near identical δ34S values of disseminated galena and pyrite veinlets and depleted values of -4.6 ‰ for late veins of massive galena of Zawar Mala (ii) pyrite-pyrrhotite veinlet having enhanced δ34S values when compared to the PbS-ZnS veinlet in Morchia-Magra, Balaria and Baroi mines. The carbon isotopic values for carbonates of Zawar Mala mine area are mostly depleted and those from Balaria and Baroi mines exhibit values of 13C close to zero. The generally depleted δ18O clustering around -15 ‰ tally well with the reported Paleoproterozoic carbonates and is attributed to the post-depositional equilibration reactions with isotopically light meteoric waters. It is summarized that the host carbonates for Zn-Pb deposits occurring in different tectono-stratigraphic units in Rajasthan have largely similar but bimodal distribution of δ18O and δ13C isotopic ratios that suggest normal marine values and much depleted values. Whereas the former seems to be in general agreement with the nature of distribution in the Palaeoproterozoic carbonates the latter is attributed to (i) depositional conditions of the basins that includes absence or presence of biogenic activity (ii) isotopic re-equilibration under different metamorphic recrystallization events and/or (iii) interaction with isotopically lighter meteoric waters. In contrast to the uniformity in the C and O distribution pattern, the S-isotopic distribution in the deposits of Rampura-Agucha, Bethumni-Rajpura-Darbia and Zawar mine areas show marked variations reflecting complex deposit-specific ore-forming processes in the said deposits.

The Authenticity of the James Ossuary

An archaeometric analysis of the James Ossuary inscription “James Son of Joseph Brother of Jesus” strengthens the contention that the ossuary and its engravings are authentic. The beige patina can be observed on the surface of the ossuary, continuing gradationally into the engraved inscription. Fine long striations made by the friction of falling roof rocks continuously crosscut the letters. Many dissolution pits are superimposed on several of the letters of the inscription. In addition to calcite and quartz, the patina contains the following minerals: apatite, whewellite and weddelite (calcium oxalate). These minerals result from the biogenic activity of microorganisms that require a long period of time to form a bio-patina. Moreover, the heterogeneous existence of wind-blown microfossils (nannofossils and foraminifers) and quartz within the patina of the ossuary, including the lettering zone, reinforces the authenticity of the inscription.

Long‐term trends of biogenic sulfur aerosol and its relationship with sea surface temperature in Arctic Finland

AbstractForty‐seven years of week‐long total suspended particle samples from Kevo Finland were analyzed for methane sulfonic acid (MSA) and sulfate. Kevo is located 350 km north of the Arctic Circle. MSA and non‐sea‐salt sulfate (NSS‐SO4) showed clear seasonal trends. MSA peaks from May to July, coinciding with warmer waters and increased biogenic activity in the surrounding seas. NSS‐SO4 peaks in March with a minimum during the summer, the typical pattern for Arctic haze. MSA concentrations were found to be positively correlated (p &lt; 0.001) with sea surface temperature anomalies in the surrounding seas. MSA showed a trend of 0.405 ng/m3/yr (0.680%/yr) for June and July. NSS‐SO4 concentrations at Kevo declined dramatically in the early 1990s, probably as a result of the collapse of the Soviet Union. The decline has continued since the mid‐1990s.

First find of biogenic activity in the Palaeoproterozoic of the Singhbhum craton (E India)

Abstract The Palaeoproterozoic succession of the Singhbhum craton in E. India was hitherto considered as almost entirely siliciclastic and partly volcanogenic. Here we describe, from the fine-grained, tidally influenced shale facies of the Palaeoproterozoic Chaibasa Formation (2.1-1.6 Ga), a fine, originally more or less horizontal, wavy to strongly undulating (later locally deformed) lamination. Investigation of these laminae shows that they must be ascribed to the accumulation of fine particles on microbial mats that covered a sandy substrate. The structures must therefore be considered as stromatolites, features that are accepted as proof of the presence of micro-organisms, in this case most probably cyanobacteria. The interpretation of biogenic activity is supported by microscopic analysis. It is the first description of traces left by biogenic activity that took place in the Palaeoproterozoic of the Singhbhum craton.

Were the hydraulic parameters of Precambrian rivers different?

Palaeohydraulic estimates have been made using time-tested standard empirical formula involving channel dimensions, especially channel depth, in four Indian Proterozoic fluvial formations. These are the Mesoproterozoic Ramdurg, younger Mesoproterozoic Muchkundi and Neoproterozoic Cave Temple Arenite in Karnataka, and Upper Rewa Sandstone in central India. The basic data came from direct measurement of decompacted thicknesses of completely preserved channel-fills or bedforms, and more commonly of cross-sets. The result, in combination with data derived by others in a similar way from a few other Precambrian fluvial formations helps to provide a new insight into the palaeohydraulics of Precambrian rivers.River gradients appear to have been steeper during the Precambrian; the possibly continuous range of variation in river gradients from alluvial fans to the plains, as a whole shifted to higher values during the Precambrian epoch. The likely reason is a greater possibility of sediment bypassing on vegetation-free land. Concomitant downstream increase in discharge was enhanced in Precambrian rivers due to lack of withdrawal of groundwater through biogenic activity. Precambrian rivers were commonly ephemeral, but downstream the ephemerality index was reduced and some rivers might have been perennial where they debouched into standing bodies of water. The Precambrian river deposits studied generally had smaller width and depth with respect to Phanerozoic and modern rivers, possibly due to unstable substratum causing surface run-off tended to be impelled along multiple independent minor channels.