PALAIOS
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

PALAIOS; February 2002; v. 17; no. 1; p. 104-109; DOI: 10.1669/0883-1351(2002)017<0104:TROAOS>2.0.CO;2
© 2002 SEPM Society for Sedimentary Geology
This Article
Right arrow Figures Only
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (13)
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by SCHIEBER, J.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
GeoRef
Right arrow GeoRef Citation

The Role of an Organic Slime Matrix in the Formation of Pyritized Burrow Trails and Pyrite Concretions

JÜRGEN SCHIEBER1

1 Department of Geology, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019

ABSTRACT

Sandstones from the Black Island member of the Winnipeg Formation (Ordovician) contain a variety of early diagenetic iron sulfide morphologies, including elongate concretions of variable length. Examination of sandstone samples with X-radiography reveals that these concretions, now consisting of pyrite, are associated with burrows.

Detailed textural examination of the pyrite shows an anomalously loose packing of sand grains within these concretions, and also suggests that iron sulfide nucleation commenced at multiple sites in what must have been a stiff matrix. Compositional data acquired by electron microprobe indicate that the iron sulfides did not replace fecal matter left behind by the burrower. Sulfur isotope data point to bacterial sulfate reduction as a sulfide source, corroborated by fossilized bacterial remains within the concretionary pyrite.

Mucus and slime trails of marine benthos were probably important for early diagenetic pyrite production in these sediments; they can be considered a favorable "culture" medium for sulfate reducing bacteria. Because the mucus seems to mineralize very early in burial history, it also provides for enhanced preservation of bacterial remains.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 PALAIOSHome page
P. S. Bingham, C. E. Savrda, T. K. Knight, and R. D. Lewis
Character and Genesis of the Ingersoll Shale, A Compact Continental Fossil-Lagerstatte, Upper Cretaceous Eutaw Formation, Eastern Alabama
Palaios, June 1, 2008; 23(6): 391 - 401.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 PALAIOSHome page
J. T. Hall and C. E. Savrda
Ichnofossils and Ichnofabrics in Syngenetic Phosphatic Concretions in Siliciclastic Shelf Deposits, Ripley Formation, Cretaceous, Alabama
Palaios, April 1, 2008; 23(4): 233 - 245.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 PaleobiologyHome page
S. Bengtson, B. Rasmussen, and B. Krapez
The Paleoproterozoic megascopic Stirling biota
Paleobiology, June 1, 2007; 33(3): 351 - 381.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Journal of Sedimentary ResearchHome page
J. Schieber and L. Riciputi
Pyrite and Marcasite Coated Grains in the Ordovician Winnipeg Formation, Canada: An Intertwined Record of Surface Conditions, Stratigraphic Condensation, Geochemical "Reworking," and Microbial Activity
Journal of Sedimentary Research, September 1, 2005; 75(5): 907 - 920.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 2002 by the SEPM Society for Sedimentary Geology.