The Proterozoic Biosphere
A Multidisciplinary Study
Published on 26. June 1992
Book
Hardback
1374 pages
978-0-521-36615-1 (ISBN)
Description
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.
Reviews / Votes
Review of the hardback: ' ... a fundamental reference for all work on the Proterozoic ... a compulsory buy for any institution teaching Earth history.' Euan Nisbet, 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.' 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.' PalaeoMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
227 line figures 100 halftones 65 tables
Dimensions
Height: 289 mm
Width: 149 mm
Thickness: 75 mm
Weight
3455 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-521-36615-1 (9780521366151)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Content
List of contributors; Preface; Part I: 1. Geology and paleobiology of the Archean Earth; 2. Geological evolution of the Proterozoic Earth; 3. Proterozoic biochemistry; 4. Proterozoic atmosphere and ocean; 5. Proterozoic and selected early Cambrian microfossils: prokaryotes and protists; 6. Modern mat-building microbial communities: a key to the interpretation of Proterozoic stromatolitic communities; 7. Proterozoic and earliest Cambrian carbonaceous remains, trace and body fossils; 8. The Proterozoic-early Cambrian evolution of metaphytes and metazoans; 9. Molecular phylogenetics, molecular paleontologym and the Proterozoic fossil record; 10. Biostratigraphy and paleobiology of the Proterozoic; 11. Biotic diversity and rates of evolution during Proterozoic and earliest Phanerozoic time; 12. A paleogeographic model for Vendian and Cambrian time; 13. Evolution of the Proterozoic biosphere: benchmarks, tempo and mode; Part II: 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 sulphur species in whole rock and kerogen samples; 18. Procedures for analysis of extractable 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 classifications 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.