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Science 29 January 1999:
Vol. 283. no. 5402, pp. 674 - 676
DOI: 10.1126/science.283.5402.674
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13C-Depleted Carbon Microparticles in >3700-Ma Sea-Floor Sedimentary Rocks from West Greenland

Minik T. Rosing

Turbiditic and pelagic sedimentary rocks from the Isua supracrustal belt in west Greenland [more than 3700 million years ago (Ma)] contain reduced carbon that is likely biogenic. The carbon is present as 2- to 5-micrometer graphite globules and has an isotopic composition of delta 13C that is about -19 per mil (Pee Dee belemnite standard). These data and the mode of occurrence indicate that the reduced carbon represents biogenic detritus, which was perhaps derived from planktonic organisms.

Geologisk Museum, Øster Voldgade 5-7, DK-1350 København K, Denmark, and Danish Lithosphere Center, Øster Voldgade 10, DK-1350 København K, Denmark. E-mail: minik{at}savik.geomus.ku.dk

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