Exceptional molecular preservation in the Late Jurassic Claudia palaeo-geothermal field (Deseado Massif, Patagonia, Argentina)

Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry was applied to samples collected from an exceptionally well-preserved Late Jurassic (~150 Ma) sinter complex of the Claudia palaeo-geothermal field, Deseado Massif geological province, Argentinean Patagonia, which, despite its age, has never been deeply buried. Results indicate that the distal sinter apron has a much higher preservation potential for indigenous organic matter (OM) than the more proximal (vent area) facies of this palaeo-geothermal field. Specifically, homohopane ratios show that the OM of the proximal apron is of mixed thermal maturities and is in low abundance. In contrast, the OM extracted from the distal apron contains highly abundant, thermally immature biomarkers, the presence of which are consistent with the lower original fluid temperatures of the distal spring facies. Moreover, despite indications of the presence of some thermally mature aromatic compounds, hopane and sterane ratios confirm that the distal apron samples are extremely thermally immature and thereby constitute an area of exceptional molecular preservation. From an astrobiological viewpoint, these results suggest that silica sinter can preserve abundant organics over millions of years in palaeoenvironmentally conducive settings, and that sample-site selection within a hot spring facies-model framework may be critical in the successful search for ancient extra-terrestrial life.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y MuseoInstituto de Recursos MineralesConsejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnica

Agricultural Biotechnology's Complementary Intellectual Assets

We formulate and test a hypothesis to explain the dramatic restructuring experienced recently by the plant breeding and seed industry. The reorganization can be explained in part by the desire to exploit complementarities between intellectual assets needed to create genetically modified organisms. This hypothesis is tested using data on agricultural biotechnology patents, notices for field tests of genetically modified organisms, and firm characteristics. The presence of complementarities is identified with a positive covariance in the unexplained variation of asset holdings. Results indicate that coordination of complementary assets have increased under the consolidation of the industry

Using laser micropyrolysis to assess potential relationships between Cambrian tommotiids and organophosphatic brachiopods

Laser micropyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry enables researchers to selectively obtain chemical information about the organic matter in specific parts of a variety of specimens, such as coals and fossils, in order to elucidate chemical composition. This paper briefly reviews the history of this type of pyrolysis and examines whether the technique can be used to isolate and recover biogeochemical signatures directly from the mineralised organophosphatic sclerites of Cambrian tommotiids—a group of enigmatic lophotrochozoans—and potentially related organophosphatic brachiopods. We analysed specimens of two tommotiids (Micrina etheridgei and Dailyatia sp.) and the paterinate brachiopod Askepasma toddense from the lower Cambrian of South Australia. Pyrolysate hydrocarbons from the sclerites of these species were detected and compared. Results indicate that A. toddense is more chemically complex than either of the two tommotiid taxa, but that M. etheridgei is compositionally more similar to A. toddense. Importantly, this study has demonstrated that laser micropyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of Cambrian organophosphatic small shelly fossils yields detectable pyrolysates that have geochemical significance. It will be analytically possible and useful in the future to apply this technique to a larger sample set to elucidate deep time biogeochemical homologies, and to test intra-shell heterogeneity

Exceptional molecular preservation in the Late Jurassic Claudia palaeo-geothermal field (Deseado Massif, Patagonia, Argentina)

Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry was applied to samples collected from an exceptionally well-preserved Late Jurassic (∼150 Ma) sinter complex of the Claudia palaeo-geothermal field, Deseado Massif geological province, Argentinean Patagonia, which, despite its age, has never been deeply buried. Results indicate that the distal sinter apron has a much higher preservation potential for indigenous organic matter (OM) than the more proximal (vent area) facies of this palaeo-geothermal field. Specifically, homohopane ratios show that the OM of the proximal apron is of mixed thermal maturities and is in low abundance. In contrast, the OM extracted from the distal apron contains highly abundant, thermally immature biomarkers, the presence of which are consistent with the lower original fluid temperatures of the distal spring facies. Moreover, despite indications of the presence of some thermally mature aromatic compounds, hopane and sterane ratios confirm that the distal apron samples are extremely thermally immature and thereby constitute an area of exceptional molecular preservation. From an astrobiological viewpoint, these results suggest that silica sinter can preserve abundant organics over millions of years in palaeoenvironmentally conducive settings, and that sample-site selection within a hot spring facies-model framework may be critical in the successful search for ancient extra-terrestrial life.Fil: Teece, Bronwyn L.. University of New South Wales; AustraliaFil: Guido, Diego Martin. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Recursos Minerales. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Instituto de Recursos Minerales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Campbell, Kathleen. University of Auckland; Nueva ZelandaFil: Van Kranendonk, Martin J.. University of New South Wales; AustraliaFil: Galar, Amanda. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Recursos Minerales. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Instituto de Recursos Minerales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: George, Simon C.. Macquarie University; Australi

Using laser micropyrolysis to assess potential relationships between Cambrian tommotiids and organophosphatic brachiopods

Laser micropyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry enables researchers to selectively obtain chemical information about the organic matter in specific parts of a variety of specimens, such as coals and fossils, in order to elucidate chemical composition. This paper briefly reviews the history of this type of pyrolysis and examines whether the technique can be used to isolate and recover biogeochemical signatures directly from the mineralised organophosphatic sclerites of Cambrian tommotiids-a group of enigmatic lophotrochozoans-and potentially related organophosphatic brachiopods. We analysed specimens of two tommotiids (Micrina etheridgei and Dailyatia sp.) and the paterinate brachiopod Askepasma toddense from the lower Cambrian of South Australia. Pyrolysate hydrocarbons from the sclerites of these species were detected and compared. Results indicate that A. toddense is more chemically complex than either of the two tommotiid taxa, but that M. etheridgei is compositionally more similar to A. toddense. Importantly, this study has demonstrated that laser micropyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of Cambrian organophosphatic small shelly fossils yields detectable pyrolysates that have geochemical significance. It will be analytically possible and useful in the future to apply this technique to a larger sample set to elucidate deep time biogeochemical homologies, and to test intra-shell heterogeneity

Geochemical and Metabolomic study of few Yellowstone spring systems over a range of pH

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