Spongy-looking microfabrics in the earliest named stromatolite represent deep burial alteration and incipient metamorphism
Abstract The earliest named stromatolite Cryptozoon Hall, 1884 (Late Cambrian, ca. 490 Ma, eastern New York State), was recently re-interpreted as an interlayered microbial mat and non-spiculate (keratosan) sponge deposit. This “classic stromatolite” is prominent in a fundamental debate concerning t...
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Nature Portfolio
2024-12-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-83359-7 |
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| author | Fritz Neuweiler Mathias Mueller Benjamin F. Walter Ed Landing Aratz Beranoaguirre Consuelo Sendino Lisa Amati Stephen Kershaw |
| author_facet | Fritz Neuweiler Mathias Mueller Benjamin F. Walter Ed Landing Aratz Beranoaguirre Consuelo Sendino Lisa Amati Stephen Kershaw |
| author_sort | Fritz Neuweiler |
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| description | Abstract The earliest named stromatolite Cryptozoon Hall, 1884 (Late Cambrian, ca. 490 Ma, eastern New York State), was recently re-interpreted as an interlayered microbial mat and non-spiculate (keratosan) sponge deposit. This “classic stromatolite” is prominent in a fundamental debate concerning the significance or even existence of non-spiculate sponges in carbonate rocks from the Neoproterozoic (Tonian) onwards. Cryptozoon has three types of microbially-induced carbonate layers: clotted-pelletoidal micrite with microbial filaments, clotted-pelletoidal micrite with vesicular structure, and dense microcrystalline laminae. A fourth, stratiform to patchy fabric comprises suspect sponges. Using contextual fabric analysis, elemental mapping, cathodoluminescence, fluid inclusions, electron backscatter diffraction, U–Pb dating, and burial history, the sponge interpretation is denied. Neither a distinct sponge body outline nor a canal system is identifiable. Instead, the suspect fabric is secondary in origin, and best explained as a product of Carboniferous (Mississippian) deep burial alteration associated with basement reactivation. Key petrographic observations include heterogenous recrystallization via aggrading Ostwald ripening with interfingering reaction fronts typical for partially miscible fluids, a granoblastic calcite texture (incipient metamorphism), and subsequent hypidioblastic white mica (arguably Carboniferous/Permian, Alleghenian orogeny). Topotype Cryptozoon is a stromatolite altered to sub-greenschist metacarbonate. The published Tonian to Phanerozoic record of interpreted non-spiculate sponges requires reassessment. |
| format | Article |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-4202e0b6c25e4fd38ec5d3b9c690bf312025-08-20T02:39:38ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-12-0114111310.1038/s41598-024-83359-7Spongy-looking microfabrics in the earliest named stromatolite represent deep burial alteration and incipient metamorphismFritz Neuweiler0Mathias Mueller1Benjamin F. Walter2Ed Landing3Aratz Beranoaguirre4Consuelo Sendino5Lisa Amati6Stephen Kershaw7Département de Géologie et de Génie géologique, Université LavalInstitute of Geology, Mineralogy and Geophysics, Ruhr-University BochumKarlsruhe Institute for Technology (KIT)New York State MuseumKarlsruhe Institute for Technology (KIT)Collections Department, National Museum of Natural SciencesNew York State MuseumScience Group, Natural History MuseumAbstract The earliest named stromatolite Cryptozoon Hall, 1884 (Late Cambrian, ca. 490 Ma, eastern New York State), was recently re-interpreted as an interlayered microbial mat and non-spiculate (keratosan) sponge deposit. This “classic stromatolite” is prominent in a fundamental debate concerning the significance or even existence of non-spiculate sponges in carbonate rocks from the Neoproterozoic (Tonian) onwards. Cryptozoon has three types of microbially-induced carbonate layers: clotted-pelletoidal micrite with microbial filaments, clotted-pelletoidal micrite with vesicular structure, and dense microcrystalline laminae. A fourth, stratiform to patchy fabric comprises suspect sponges. Using contextual fabric analysis, elemental mapping, cathodoluminescence, fluid inclusions, electron backscatter diffraction, U–Pb dating, and burial history, the sponge interpretation is denied. Neither a distinct sponge body outline nor a canal system is identifiable. Instead, the suspect fabric is secondary in origin, and best explained as a product of Carboniferous (Mississippian) deep burial alteration associated with basement reactivation. Key petrographic observations include heterogenous recrystallization via aggrading Ostwald ripening with interfingering reaction fronts typical for partially miscible fluids, a granoblastic calcite texture (incipient metamorphism), and subsequent hypidioblastic white mica (arguably Carboniferous/Permian, Alleghenian orogeny). Topotype Cryptozoon is a stromatolite altered to sub-greenschist metacarbonate. The published Tonian to Phanerozoic record of interpreted non-spiculate sponges requires reassessment.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-83359-7CambrianSpongesAppalachian mountainsFluid inclusionsU–Pb datingReactive fluid flow |
| spellingShingle | Fritz Neuweiler Mathias Mueller Benjamin F. Walter Ed Landing Aratz Beranoaguirre Consuelo Sendino Lisa Amati Stephen Kershaw Spongy-looking microfabrics in the earliest named stromatolite represent deep burial alteration and incipient metamorphism Scientific Reports Cambrian Sponges Appalachian mountains Fluid inclusions U–Pb dating Reactive fluid flow |
| title | Spongy-looking microfabrics in the earliest named stromatolite represent deep burial alteration and incipient metamorphism |
| title_full | Spongy-looking microfabrics in the earliest named stromatolite represent deep burial alteration and incipient metamorphism |
| title_fullStr | Spongy-looking microfabrics in the earliest named stromatolite represent deep burial alteration and incipient metamorphism |
| title_full_unstemmed | Spongy-looking microfabrics in the earliest named stromatolite represent deep burial alteration and incipient metamorphism |
| title_short | Spongy-looking microfabrics in the earliest named stromatolite represent deep burial alteration and incipient metamorphism |
| title_sort | spongy looking microfabrics in the earliest named stromatolite represent deep burial alteration and incipient metamorphism |
| topic | Cambrian Sponges Appalachian mountains Fluid inclusions U–Pb dating Reactive fluid flow |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-83359-7 |
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