Utilization of Micro X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (μXRF) in Analyzing Heavy Mineral Sorting Patterns in Biotic and Abiotic Depositional Environments

Abstract

The field of evolutionary geobiology is focused largely on the presence of biosignatures in the geological record. Microbial mat communities have been shown to sort heavy element grains and produce patterns that differ from those seen in cross-laminated sandstones (Gerdes et al., 2000). The difference in spatial distribution patterns of heavy mineral grains may prove to be a viable biosignature. These patterns are studied using Micro X-ray Fluorescent Spectrometry to determine what significance or abundance, if any, exists between the patterns of distribution of heavy mineral grains contained within the two types of formations.