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Proterozoic Mn-oxide precipitation by planktonic plant protists (acritarchs)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2009

S. Morad
Affiliation:
Department of Mineralogy and Petrology, Institute of Geology, Uppsala University, Box 555, S-751 22 Uppsala, Sweden
G. Vidal
Affiliation:
Geology Department, Micropalaeontology Laboratory, Kemicentrum, University of Lund, Box 124, S-221 00 Lund, Sweden

Abstract

Microfossils of plant protists called acritarchs occur embedded in, mostly, authigenic chlorite cement in sandstones of the Visingsö Group (Upper Proterozoic; southern Sweden). These microfossils are commonly encrusted by a Mn-oxide layer. Similar Mn-oxide was not observed elsewhere in the sandstones, thus suggesting that certain acritarchs have played a role in the transfer and precipitation of Mn in ancient sedimentary environments. In the light of available information on the role of extant protists in biomineralization, possible mechanisms for the precipitation of Mnoxide in the Visingsö Group are discussed.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

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