The nitrogen isotope compositions(δ^(15)N )of sedimentary rocks can provide information about the nutrient N cycling and redox conditions that may have played important roles in biological evolution in Earth’s histo...The nitrogen isotope compositions(δ^(15)N )of sedimentary rocks can provide information about the nutrient N cycling and redox conditions that may have played important roles in biological evolution in Earth’s history.Although considerableδ^(15)N data for the Precambrian have been published,there is a large gap during the Early Neoproterozoic that restrains our understanding of the linkages among N cycling,ocean redox changes and biological evolution during this key period.Here,we report bulkδ^(15)N and organic carbon isotope(^(δ)13C_(org))compositions as well as the total nitrogen(TN)and total organic carbon(TOC)contents from the Tonian fossiliferous Liulaobei Formation in the southern part of the North China Platform.Theδ^(15)N in the study section is dominated by very stable values centering around+4.3‰,which is moderately lower than that in modern sediments(~+6‰).These positiveδ^(15)N values were attributed to partial denitrification under low primary productivity(scenario 1)and/or denitrification coupled with dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium(DNRA)(scenario 2).In either case,the availability of fixed nitrogen may have provided the nutrient N required to facilitate facilitated eukaryotic growth.Our study highlights the pivotal role of nutrient N in the evolution of eukaryotes.展开更多
Abundant sphaeroidal acritarch Leiosphaeridia asperata,with vesicle size ranging from 13 to 360 μm,occurred in the Proterozoic Liulaobei Formation shales in Huainan,Anhui Province.TEM/SEM studies of these sphaeroidal...Abundant sphaeroidal acritarch Leiosphaeridia asperata,with vesicle size ranging from 13 to 360 μm,occurred in the Proterozoic Liulaobei Formation shales in Huainan,Anhui Province.TEM/SEM studies of these sphaeroidal acritarchs have revealed complex ultrastructures,including ridges,bands,and possible trilaminar structures(TLS).Ridges,spaced ~1 μm apart,are distributed regularly on the vesicle internal surface of one specimen.Some specimens have alternating electron-dense and electron-tenuous bands that are perpendicular to vesicle walls.Some specimens have trilaminar structures(TLS),while a few others have both bands and TLS.These wall ultrastructures provide evidence that the Liulaobei leiosphaerids are of green microalgae.The variation in wall ultrastructures may represent various stages in a life cycle or developmental phases in the cyst formation analogous to some modern chlorophyceaen microalgae.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.41872032,41830215,41930320)the Chinese‘111’project(No.B20011)the support from the China Scholarship Council for one-year of studying abroad。
文摘The nitrogen isotope compositions(δ^(15)N )of sedimentary rocks can provide information about the nutrient N cycling and redox conditions that may have played important roles in biological evolution in Earth’s history.Although considerableδ^(15)N data for the Precambrian have been published,there is a large gap during the Early Neoproterozoic that restrains our understanding of the linkages among N cycling,ocean redox changes and biological evolution during this key period.Here,we report bulkδ^(15)N and organic carbon isotope(^(δ)13C_(org))compositions as well as the total nitrogen(TN)and total organic carbon(TOC)contents from the Tonian fossiliferous Liulaobei Formation in the southern part of the North China Platform.Theδ^(15)N in the study section is dominated by very stable values centering around+4.3‰,which is moderately lower than that in modern sediments(~+6‰).These positiveδ^(15)N values were attributed to partial denitrification under low primary productivity(scenario 1)and/or denitrification coupled with dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium(DNRA)(scenario 2).In either case,the availability of fixed nitrogen may have provided the nutrient N required to facilitate facilitated eukaryotic growth.Our study highlights the pivotal role of nutrient N in the evolution of eukaryotes.
基金supported financially by Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. KZCX2-YW-153)National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2006CB806400National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 40772021,40625006)
文摘Abundant sphaeroidal acritarch Leiosphaeridia asperata,with vesicle size ranging from 13 to 360 μm,occurred in the Proterozoic Liulaobei Formation shales in Huainan,Anhui Province.TEM/SEM studies of these sphaeroidal acritarchs have revealed complex ultrastructures,including ridges,bands,and possible trilaminar structures(TLS).Ridges,spaced ~1 μm apart,are distributed regularly on the vesicle internal surface of one specimen.Some specimens have alternating electron-dense and electron-tenuous bands that are perpendicular to vesicle walls.Some specimens have trilaminar structures(TLS),while a few others have both bands and TLS.These wall ultrastructures provide evidence that the Liulaobei leiosphaerids are of green microalgae.The variation in wall ultrastructures may represent various stages in a life cycle or developmental phases in the cyst formation analogous to some modern chlorophyceaen microalgae.
