Kerogen in Archean rocks: Biotic vs abiotic signatures – Pt. II

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Jan-Peter Duda; Professor Dr. Joachim Reitner; Professor Dr. Volker Thiel
• Subject Area: Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry ; Palaeontology
• Term: from 2015 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 276836342

The origin of organic matter in Archean rocks is ambiguous, as various sources come into question (biological vs abiotic). Available data suggest that most of the organic matter was indeed biologically produced, but has then been redistributed, and sequestered, into different environments by hydrothermal fluids. For testing this hypothesis, we will explore the presence and diversity of kerogens in Archean strata from the Pilbara Craton (Western Australia) and from the Barberton Greenstone Belt (South Africa). We are going to tackle the origin of these kerogens by (i) assessing their distribution, bulk characteristics and molecular composition, (ii) elucidating the nature of specific kerogen-mineral associations, and (iii) evaluating the geological fate of biological- vs abiotic organic matter during experimental thermal maturation. By integrating the respective findings into a holistic model, we will draw sound conclusions on the nature and distribution of organic matter on the early Archean Earth.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1833: Building a Habitable Earth