Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of Contributors
- Preface
- The Proterozoic Biosphere
- PART I
- PART 2
- 14 Geographic and Geologic Data for PPRG Rock Samples
- 15 Flow Chart and Processing Procedures for Rock Samples
- 16 Procedures of Whole Rock and Kerogen Analysis
- 17 Abundances and Isotopic Compositions of Carbon and Sulfur Species in Whole Rock and Kerogen Samples
- 18 Procedures for Analysis of Extactable Organic Matter
- 19 Composition of Extractable Organic Matter
- 20 Modern Mat-Building Microbial Communities: Methods of Investigation and Supporting Data
- 21 Construction and Use of Geological, Geochemical, and Paleobiological Databases
- 22 Proterozoic and Selected Early Cambrian Microfossils and Microfossil-Like Objects
- 23 Described Taxa of Proterozoic and Selected Earliest Cambrian Carbonaceous Remains, Trace and Body Fossils
- 24 Atlas of Representative Proterozoic Microfossils
- 25 Informal Revised Classification of Proterozoic Microfossils
- 26 Models for Vendian-Cambrian Biotic Diversity and for Proterozoic Atmospheric and Ocean Chemistry
- 27 Glossary of Technical Terms
- References Cited
- Subject Index
- Index to Geologic Units
- Taxonomic Index
21 - Construction and Use of Geological, Geochemical, and Paleobiological Databases
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 04 April 2011
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of Contributors
- Preface
- The Proterozoic Biosphere
- PART I
- PART 2
- 14 Geographic and Geologic Data for PPRG Rock Samples
- 15 Flow Chart and Processing Procedures for Rock Samples
- 16 Procedures of Whole Rock and Kerogen Analysis
- 17 Abundances and Isotopic Compositions of Carbon and Sulfur Species in Whole Rock and Kerogen Samples
- 18 Procedures for Analysis of Extactable Organic Matter
- 19 Composition of Extractable Organic Matter
- 20 Modern Mat-Building Microbial Communities: Methods of Investigation and Supporting Data
- 21 Construction and Use of Geological, Geochemical, and Paleobiological Databases
- 22 Proterozoic and Selected Early Cambrian Microfossils and Microfossil-Like Objects
- 23 Described Taxa of Proterozoic and Selected Earliest Cambrian Carbonaceous Remains, Trace and Body Fossils
- 24 Atlas of Representative Proterozoic Microfossils
- 25 Informal Revised Classification of Proterozoic Microfossils
- 26 Models for Vendian-Cambrian Biotic Diversity and for Proterozoic Atmospheric and Ocean Chemistry
- 27 Glossary of Technical Terms
- References Cited
- Subject Index
- Index to Geologic Units
- Taxonomic Index
Summary
The earlier collaborative project of the PPRG (1979–1980; Schopf 1983a) used a great deal of paper. As analytical work neared completion, handwritten “scoreboards” and “hit lists” were compiled to be sure that work proceeded efficiently and that important samples were not missed. As tables of results were prepared, extensive bibliographies were developed relating to stratigraphic relationships and sedimentary ages. Participants in the project reworded the accumulating paper like so many burrowing animals. When, for example, a decision was reached about the age to be estimated for a particular rock unit, multiple tabular entries had to be changed. Much communication focused on keeping the records straight rather than on questions of interpretation.
The “personal-computer revolution” preceded the beginning of the current PPRG project. Many of the researchers involved had already developed computerized databases, and it was resolved that the power and flexibility of this technology would be applied to the sample-tracking and information-management problems of PPRG. Three problem areas were identified: (i) construction of unified bibliographic database that could be searched and which could be used for preparation of the reference list for the final publication; (ii) management of the sample inventory and laboratory work; and (iii) compilation of results and related information. Systems were eventually developed in all of these areas as described briefly below. In spite of efforts at coordination, the degree of integration initially hoped for was not achieved, principally because the databases were, in their organization a well as contents, the result of individual efforts.
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- The Proterozoic BiosphereA Multidisciplinary Study, pp. 855 - 864Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 1992