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Science 25 June 1965:
Vol. 148. no. 3678, pp. 1713 - 1716
DOI: 10.1126/science.148.3678.1713
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Articles

Carbonaceous Rocks of the Soudan Iron Formation (Early Precambrian)

Preston E. Cloud Jr. 1, John W. Gruner 1, and Hannelore Hagen 1

1 Department of Geology and Geophysics and School of Mineral and Metallurgical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis

Carbon-rich rocks more than 2.7 billion years old, from the Soudan Iron Formation of northeastern Minnesota, contain pyrite balls in which are found microstructures of possible biologic origin. The C13/C12 and S34/S32 ratios and minor element composition of this rock are consistent with such an interpretation. Hydrocarbons of presumed vital origin are also present, although it is not certain that they are endemic to the rock.


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