The Proterozoic Biosphere: A Multidisciplinary Study

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511601064

First published in 1992, The Proterozoic Biosphere was the first major study of the paleobiology of the Proterozoic Earth. It is a multidisciplinary work dealing with the evolution of the Earth, the environment and life during the forty percent of Earth's history that extends from the middle of the Precambrian eon (2500 Ma) to the beginning of the Paleozoic era (550 Ma). The book includes a vast amount of data on Proterozoic organisms and their analogs. Prepared by the Precambrian Paleobiology Research Group, a multidisciplinary consortium of forty-one scientists from eight countries, this monograph was a benchmark in the development of the science of the biochemistry and the organic chemistry of Proterozoic sediments. The study aimed to generate data and analyses based on the re-examination of previous studies and on newer investigations and to build towards the future by placing special emphasis on neglected aspects of paleobiologic study and unsolved problems in the field.

Review of the hardback:‘ … a fundamental reference for all work on the Proterozoic … a compulsory buy for any institution teaching Earth history.’

Euan Nisbet Source: New Scientist

Review of the hardback:‘ … most of the contributions are short and to the point … must be considered a landmark in Precambrian geology, and a major achievement that so many outstanding scientists were organized into producing a volume that encompasses a large subject area and includes a significant contribution of new data.’

Source: Palaeo

Review of the hardback:‘ … the section on Proterozoic biogeochemistry will doubtless serve as a reference point for future studies of carbon and sulphur isotopes, as well as biomarker analysis and interpretation … this volume will surely stimulate research initiatives and serve as a key reference source for anyone interested in pursuing a more detailed understanding of the numerous topics presented.’

Source: Palaeo

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-vi
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Contents
pp vii-xviii
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List of Contributors
pp xix-xx
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Preface
pp xxi-xxiv
- By J. William Schopf, University of California, Cornelis Klein, University of New Mexico
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The Proterozoic Biosphere
pp 1-2
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PART I
pp 3-4
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1 - Geology and Paleobiology of the Archean Earth
pp 5-42
- By J. William Schopf, University of California, Sherwood Chang, Ames Research Center, W. Gary Ernst, Stanford University, Stanford, California, Heinrich D. Holland, Harvard University, Cambridge, James F. Kasting, Pennsylvania State University, Donald R. Lowe, Stanford University
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2 - Geological Evolution of the Proterozoic Earth
pp 43-80
- By Donald R. Lowe, Stanford University, Nicolas J. Beukes, Rand Afrikaans University, John P. Grotzinger, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Raymond V. Ingersoll, University of California, Joseph L. Kirschvink, Institute of Technology, Cornelis Klein, University of New Mexico, Ian B. Lambert, Resource Assessment Commission, Australia, Ján Veizer, University of Ottawa
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3 - Proterozoic Biogeochemistry
pp 81-134
- By J. M. Hayes, Indiana University, David J. Des Marais, Ames Research Center, Ian B. Lambert, Resource Assessment Commission, Australia, Harald Strauss, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Roger E. Summons, Bureau of Mineral Resources, Geology and Geophysics, Australia
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4 - Proterozoic Atmosphere and Ocean
pp 135-174
- By Cornelis Klein, University of New Mexico, Nicolas J. Beukes, Rand Afrikaans University, Heinrich D. Holland, Harvard University, James F. Kasting, Pennsylvania State University, Lee R. Kump, Pennsylvania State University, Donald R. Lowe, Stanford University
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5 - Proterozoic and Selected Early Cambrian Microfossils: Prokaryotes and Protists
pp 175-244
- By Carl V. Mendelson, Beloit College, John Bauld, Bureau of Mineral Resources, Robert J. Horodyski, Tulane University, Jere H. Lipps, University of California, Toby B. Moore, University of California, J. William Schopf, University of California
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6 - Modern Mat-Building Microbial Communities: a Key to the Interpretation of Proterozoic Stromatolitic Communities
pp 245-342
- By Beverly K. Pierson, University of Puget Sound, John Bauld, Bureau of Mineral Resources, Richard W. Castenholz, University of Oregon, Elisa D'Amelio, Ames Research Center, David J. Des Marais, Ames Research Center, Jack D. Farmer, University of California, John P. Grotzinger, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Bo Barker Jørgensen, University of Aarhus, Douglas C. Nelson, University of California, Anna C. Palmisano, Ivorydale Technical Center, J. William Schopf, University of California, Roger E. Summons, Bureau of Mineral Resources, Geology and Geophysics, Australia, Malcolm R. Walter, M. R. Walter Pty. Ltd, David M. Ward, Montana State University
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7 - Proterozoic and Earliest Cambrian Carbonaceous Remains, Trace and Body Fossils
pp 343-424
- By Kenneth M. Towe, Smithsonian Institution, Stefan Bengtson, Uppsala Universitet, Mikhail A. Fedonkin, Palaeontological Institute, USSR Academy of Sciences, Hans J. Hofmann, University of Montreal, Carol Mankiewicz, Beloit College, Bruce N. Runnegar, University of California
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8 - The Proterozoic-Early Cambrian Evolution of Metaphytes and Metazoans
pp 425-462
- By Stefan Bengtson, Uppsala Universitet, Jack D. Farmer, University of California, Mikhail A. Fedonkin, Palaeontological Institute, USSR Academy of Sciences, Jere H. Lipps, University of California, Bruce N. Runnegar, University of California
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9 - Molecular Phylogenetics, Molecular Paleontology, and the Proterozoic Fossil Record
pp 463-486
- By Bruce N. Runnegar, University of California, David J. Chapman, University of California, Walter M. Fitch, University of California
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10 - Biostratigraphy and Paleobiogeography of the Proterozoic
pp 487-520
- By Hans J. Hofmann, University of Montreal, Stefan Bengtson, Uppsala Universitet, J. M. Hayes, Indiana University, Jere H. Lipps, University of California, J. William Schopf, University of California, Harald Strauss, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Roger E. Summons, Bureau of Mineral Resources, Geology and Geophysics, Australia, Malcolm R. Walter, M. R. Walter Pty. Ltd
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11 - Biotic Diversity and Rates of Evolution During Proterozoic and Earliest Phanerozoic Time
pp 521-566
- By J. John Sepkoski, Jr., University of Chicago, J. William Schopf, University of California
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12 - A Paleogeographic Model for Vendian and Cambrian Time
pp 567-582
- By Joseph L. Kirschvink, California Institute of Technology
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13 - Evolution of the Proterozoic Biosphere: Benchmarks, Tempo, and Mode
pp 583-600
- By J. William Schopf, University of California
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PART 2
pp 601-602
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14 - Geographic and Geologic Data for PPRG Rock Samples
pp 603-694
- By Toby B. Moore, University of California, J. William Schopf, University of California
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15 - Flow Chart and Processing Procedures for Rock Samples
pp 695-698
- By Harald Strauss, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, David J. Des Marais, Ames Research Center, J. M. Hayes, Indiana University, Toby B. Moore, University of California, J. William Schopf, University of California
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16 - Procedures of Whole Rock and Kerogen Analysis
pp 699-708
- By Harald Strauss, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, David J. Des Marais, Ames Research Center, J. M. Hayes, Indiana University, Ian B. Lambert, Resource Assessment Commission, Australia, Roger E. Summons, Bureau of Mineral Resources, Geology and Geophysics, Australia
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17 - Abundances and Isotopic Compositions of Carbon and Sulfur Species in Whole Rock and Kerogen Samples
pp 709-798
- By Harald Strauss, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Toby B. Moore, University of California
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18 - Procedures for Analysis of Extactable Organic Matter
pp 799-810
- By Roger E. Summons, Bureau of Mineral Resources, Geology and Geophysics, Australia, Harald Strauss, Ruhr-Universität Bochum
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19 - Composition of Extractable Organic Matter
pp 811-820
- By Roger E. Summons, Bureau of Mineral Resources, Geology and Geophysics, Australia, Harald Strauss, Ruhr-Universität Bochum
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20 - Modern Mat-Building Microbial Communities: Methods of Investigation and Supporting Data
pp 821-854
- By Richard W. Castenholz, University of Oregon, Elisa D'Amelio, Ames Research Center, Jack D. Farmer, University of California, Bo Barker Jøgensen, University of Aarhus, Anna C. Palmisano, Ivorydale Technical Center, Beverly K. Pierson, University of Puget Sound, David M. Ward, Montana State University
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21 - Construction and Use of Geological, Geochemical, and Paleobiological Databases
pp 855-864
- By J. M. Hayes, Indiana University, Stefan Bengtson, Uppsala Universitet, Hans J. Hofmann, University of Montreal, Jere H. Lipps, University of California, Donald R. Lowe, Stanford University, Carol Mankiewicz, Beloit College, Carl V. Mendelson, Beloit College, Toby B. Moore, University of California, Bruce N. Runnegar, University of California, Harald Strauss, Ruhr-Universität Bochum
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22 - Proterozoic and Selected Early Cambrian Microfossils and Microfossil-Like Objects
pp 865-952
- By Carl V. Mendelson, Beloit College, J. William Schopf, University of California
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23 - Described Taxa of Proterozoic and Selected Earliest Cambrian Carbonaceous Remains, Trace and Body Fossils
pp 953-1054
- By Kenneth M. Towe, Smithsonian Institution, Stefan Bengtson, Uppsala Universitet, Mikhail A. Fedonkin, Palaeontological Institute, Hans J. Hofmann, University of Montreal, Carol Mankiewicz, Beloit College, Bruce N. Runnegar, University of California
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The Proterozoic Biosphere

A Multidisciplinary Study

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