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Gigantism in unique biogenic magnetite at the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum.


ABSTRACT: We report the discovery of exceptionally large biogenic magnetite crystals in clay-rich sediments spanning the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) in a borehole at Ancora, NJ. Aside from previously described abundant bacterial magnetofossils, electron microscopy reveals novel spearhead-like and spindle-like magnetite up to 4 microm long and hexaoctahedral prisms up to 1.4 microm long. Similar to magnetite produced by magnetotactic bacteria, these single-crystal particles exhibit chemical composition, lattice perfection, and oxygen isotopes consistent with an aquatic origin. Electron holography indicates single-domain magnetization despite their large crystal size. We suggest that the development of a thick suboxic zone with high iron bioavailability--a product of dramatic changes in weathering and sedimentation patterns driven by severe global warming--drove diversification of magnetite-forming organisms, likely including eukaryotes.

SUBMITTER: Schumann D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2584680 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Gigantism in unique biogenic magnetite at the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum.

Schumann Dirk D   Raub Timothy D TD   Raub Timothy D TD   Kopp Robert E RE   Guerquin-Kern Jean-Luc JL   Wu Ting-Di TD   Rouiller Isabelle I   Smirnov Aleksey V AV   Smirnov Aleksey V AV   Sears S Kelly SK   Lücken Uwe U   Tikoo Sonia M SM   Hesse Reinhard R   Kirschvink Joseph L JL   Vali Hojatollah H  

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 20081020 46


We report the discovery of exceptionally large biogenic magnetite crystals in clay-rich sediments spanning the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) in a borehole at Ancora, NJ. Aside from previously described abundant bacterial magnetofossils, electron microscopy reveals novel spearhead-like and spindle-like magnetite up to 4 microm long and hexaoctahedral prisms up to 1.4 microm long. Similar to magnetite produced by magnetotactic bacteria, these single-crystal particles exhibit chemical com  ...[more]

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