Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Biogeochemistry of Ancient and Modern Environments pp 73–82Cite as

Timing and Relationships Among Precambrian Crustal and Atmospheric Evolution and Banded Iron-Formations

  • Conference paper

  • 195 Accesses

Abstract

Current thoughts on the early history of the earth have been greatly influenced by the models of Cloud (1972, 1976). These models have attempted to explain, in an internally consistent fashion, the evolution of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and crust of the earth. Our concepts of the origin of one of the most enigmatic rock types in the geologic record — the early Precambrian banded iron formations — have also been greatly influenced by Cloud’s models. During the past several years, many advances have been made in the fields of isotopic age dating, geochemistry and sedimentology which are significant to our understanding of the early history of the earth and to the origin of early Precambrian banded iron formations. In this context, a review of some of these advances and their implications seems warranted.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Beukes, N.J., 1973. Precambrian iron-formations of Southern Africa. Econ. Geol., 68: 960–1004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bridgewater, D. and Fyfe, W.S., 1974. The Pre-3b.y.crust: fact-fiction-fantasy. Geosci. Can., 1: 7–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Button, A., 1976a. Transvaal and Hamersley Basins–review of basin development and mineral deposits. Min. Sci. Eng., 8: 262–293.

    Google Scholar 

  • Button, A., 1976b. Iron-formation as an end-member in carbonate sedimentary cycles in the Transvaal Supergroup, South Africa. Econ. Geol., 71: 193–201.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Delaney, G.D., Jefferson, C.W., Yeo, G.M., McLennan, S.M., Bell, R.T. and Aitken, J.D., 1980. Some Proterozoic sediment - hosted metal occurrences of the northeastern Canadian Cordillera. Soc. Econ. Geol. Couer d’Alene Field Conf., Wallace, Idaho, Nov. 3–5, 1977. Idaho Bureau of Mines.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dimroth, E. and Kimberley, M.M., 1976. Precambrian atmospheric oxygen: evidence in sedimentary distributions of carbon, sulfur, uranium, and iron. Can. J. Earth Sci., 13: 1161–1185.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Donnelly, T.H. and Lambert, I.B., 1979. Investigation of the antiquity of sulphate-reducing bacteria based on sulphur isotope studies: with special reference to studies within Australia. Int. Union Geod. Geophys. XVII General Assembly Abst. Timetable for the Inter-Disciplinary Symp., p. 35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dreyer, J.I., 1974. Geochemical model for the origin of Precambrian banded iron formations. Bull. Geol. Soc. Am., 85: 1099–1106.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dunbar, G.J. and McCall, 1971. Archaean turbidites and banded ironstones of the Mt. Belches area (Western Australia). Sed. Geol., 5: 93–133.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fairbairn, H.W., Hurley, P.M., Card, K.D. and Knight, C.J., 1969. Correlation of radiometric ages of Nipissing Diabase and Huronian metasediments with Proterozoic orogenic events in Ontario. Can. J. Earth Sci., 6: 489–497.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fitton, J.J., Horwitz, R.C. and Sylvester, G., 1975. Stratigraphy of the Early Precambrian in the West Pilbara, Western Australia. CSIRO Minerals Research Laboratories, Division of Mineralogy Report No. FP11, 41pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frarey, M.J., 1976. Proterozoic highlights of the Canadian Shield: a review. J. Geol. Soc. Aust., 23: 439–454.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frarey, M.J. and Roscoe, S.M., 1979. The Huronian Supergroup north of Lake Huron. In: A.J. Baer (Ed.), Symposium on Basins and Geosynclines in the Canadian Shield. Geol. Surv. Can. Paper 70–40, pp. 143–158.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fryer, B.J., 1972. Age determinations in the Circum-Ungava geosyncline and the evolution of Precambrian iron-formation. Can. J. Earth Sci., 9: 652–663.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fryer, B.J., 1977. Geochemistry of Early Proterozoic paleosols, north of Lake Huron, Ontario. Abstr. Ann. Meet. Inst. Lake Superior Geology, p. 18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fryer, B.J., Fyfe, W.S. and Kerrich, R., 1979. Archaean volcanogenic oceans. Chem. Geol., 24: 25–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garrels, R.M., Perry, E.A. and Mackenzie, F.T., 1973. Genesis of Precambrian ironformations and the development of atmospheric oxygen. Econ. Geol., 68: 1173–1179.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldich, S.S., 1973. Ages of Precambrian banded iron-formations. Econ. Geol., 68: 1126–1134.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grandstaff, D.E., 1974. Uraninite oxidation and the Precambrian atmosphere (abstract). EOS, 55: 457.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gross, G.A., 1965. Geology of Iron Deposits in Canada: General Geology and Evaluation of Iron Deposits. Geol. Surv. Can. Econ. Geol. Rep. 22(1), 181pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gross, W.H., 1968. Evidence for a modified placer origin for auriferous conglomerates, Canavieiras Mine, Jacobina, Brazil. Econ. Geol., 63: 271–276.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hargraves, R.B., 1976. Precambrian geologic history. Science, 193: 363–371.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holland, H.D., 1973. The oceans: a possible source of iron in iron-formations. Econ. Geol., 68: 1169–1172.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holland, H.D., 1979. Models of the early atmosphere and oceans. Int. Union Geophys. XVII. General Assembly, Abstr. Timetable Inter-disciplinary Symp., p. 25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lambert, I.B., 1978. Sulphur-isotope investigations of Archaean mineralization and some implications concerning geobiochemical evolution. In: J.E. Glover and D.I. Groves (Eds.), Archaean Cherty Metasediments: Their Sedimentology, Micropalaeontology, Biogeochemistry and Significance to Mineralization. The University of Western Australia, pp. 45–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Long, D.G.F., 1976. The Stratigraphy and Sedimentology of the Huronian (Lower Aphebian) Mississagi and Serpent Formations. Ph.D. thesis. University of Western Ontario. London, Ontario. 291 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCulloch, M.T. and Wasserburg, G.J., 1978. Sm-Nd and Rb-Sr chronology of continental crust formation. Science, 200: 1003–1011.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McLennan, S.M., 1977. Geochemistry of some Huronian Sedimentary Rocks (North of Lake Huron) with Emphasis on the Rare Earth Elements. M.Sc. thesis. University of Western Ontario. London, Ontario. 138 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • McLennan, S.M., Fryer, B.J. and Young, G.M., 1979a. Rare earth elements in Huronian (Lower Proterosoic) sedimentary rocks: composition and evolution of the post-Kenoran upper crust. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 43: 375–388.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McLennan, S.M., Fryer, B.J. and Young, G.M., 1979b. The geochemistry of the carbonate-rich Espanola Formation (Huronian) with emphasis on the rare earth elements. Can. J. Earth Sci., 16: 230–239.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McLennan, S.M. and Taylor, S.R., 1980. Rare earth elements in fine-grained sedimentary rocks and ores from the Pine Creek Geosyncline. Proc. Int. Uranium Symp. Pine Creek Geosyncline, International Atomic Energy Agency.

    Google Scholar 

  • Minter, W.E.L., 1976. Detrital gold, uranium and pyrite concentrations related to sedimentology in the Precambrian Vaal Reef Placer, Witwatersrand, South Africa. Econ. Geol., 71: 157–176.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nance, W.B. and Taylor, S.R., 1976. Rare earth element patterns and crustal evolution I: Australian post-Archean sedimentary rocks. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 40: 1539–1551.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nance, W.B. and Taylor, S.R., 1977. Rare earth element patterns and crustal evolution II: Archean sedimentary rocks from Kalgoorlie, Australia. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 41: 225–231.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pettijohn, F.J., Potter, P.E. and Siever, R., 1973. Sand and Sandstones. Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg, 618 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pienaar, P.J., 1963. Stratigraphy, petrology and genesis of the Elliot Group, Blind River, Ontario, including the uraniferous conglomerates. Bull. Geol. Surv. Can., 83: 140 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Plumb, K.A., 1979. The tectonic evolution of Australia. Earth-Sci. Rev., 14: 205–249.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rankama, K., 1955. Geologic evidence of chemical composition of the Precambrian atmosphere. Geol. Soc. Am. Spec. Pap. 62, pp. 651–664.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robertson, J.A., 1976. The Blind River uranium deposits: the ores and their setting. Ontario Division of Mines Misc. Pap. 65, 45 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roscoe, S.M., 1969. Huronian rocks and uraniferous conglomerates in the Canadian Shield. Geol. Surv. Can. Pap. 68–40, 205 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roscoe, S.M., 1973. The Huronian Supergroup, a Palaeoaphebian succession showing evidence of atmospheric evolution. In: G.M. Young (Ed.), Huronian Stratigraphy and Sedimentation. Geol. Assoc. Can. Spec. Pap., 12: 31–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rundle, C.C. and Snelling, W.J., 1977. The geochronology of uraniferous minerals in the Witwatersrand Triad; an interpretation of new and existing U-Pb age data on rocks and minerals from the Dominion Reef, Witwatersrand and Ventersdorp Supergroups. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. London, A 286: 567–583.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schopf, J.W., 1979. On the advent of an oxygenic atmosphere: biological, biochemical and paleobiological considerations. Int. Union Geod. Geophys. XVII Assembly Abstr. Timetable Inter-disciplinary Symp. p. 32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwab, F.L., 1978. Secular trends in the composition of sedimentary rock assemblages–Archean through Phanerozoic time. Geology, 6: 532–536.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simpson, P.R. and Bowles, J.F.W., 1977. Uranium mineralization of the Witwatersrand and Dominion Reef systems. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. London, A 286: 527–548.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Snead, R.E., 1972. Atlas of World Physical Features. John Wiley and Sons, NY, 158 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tarney, J. and Windley, B.F., 1977. Chemistry, thermal gradients and evolution of the lower continental crust. J. Geol. Soc. London, 134: 153–172.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, S.R., 1979. Chemical composition and evolution of the continental crust: the rare earth element evidence. In: M.W. McElhinny (Ed.), The Earth: It’s Origin, Structure and Evolution. Academic Press, NY, pp. 353–376.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, S.R. and McLennan, S.M., 1980. The rare earth element evidence in Precambrian sedimentary rocks: implications for crustal evolution. In: A. Kröner (Ed.), Precambrian Plate Tectonics, Elsevier, Amsterdam.

    Google Scholar 

  • Veizer, J., 1973. Sedimentation in geologic history: recycling vs. evolution or recycling with evolution. Contr. Min. Petrol., 38: 261–278.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Veizer, J., 1976a. 87Sr/86Sr evolution of seawater during geologic history and its significance as an index of crustal evolution. In: B.F. Windley (Ed.), The Early History of the Earth. John Wiley and Sons, NY, pp. 569–578.

    Google Scholar 

  • Veizer, J., 1976b. Evolution of ores of sedimentary affiliation through geologic history: relations to the general tendencies in evolution of the crust, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere. In: K.H. Wolf (Ed.), Handbook of Strata-bound and Stratiform Ore Deposits, Vol. 3. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 1–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Veizer, J., 1978. Secular variations in the composition of sedimentary carbonate rocks, II. Fe, Mn, Ca, Mg, Si and minor constituents. Precambr. Res., 6: 381–413.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Veizer, J. and Compston, W., 1976. 87Sr/86Sr in Precambrian carbonates as an index of crustal evolution. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 40: 905–914.

    Google Scholar 

  • Veizer, J. and Jansen, S.L., 1979. Basement and sedimentary recycling and continental evolution. J. Geol., 87: 341–370.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Windley, B.F., 1977. Timing of continental growth and emergence. Nature, 270: 426–428.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yeo, G.M., 1977. A new class of iron-formation in the Late Proterozoic Rapitan Group, Yukon and Northwest Territories. Geol. Ass. Can. 1977 Ann. Meet. Prog. Abstr., 2: 56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, G.M., 1970. An extensive Early Proterozoic glaciation in North America? Palaeogeogr. Palaeoclimatol. Palaeoecol., 7: 85–101.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young, G.M., 1973. Tillites and aluminous quartzites as possible time markers for middle Precambrian (Aphebian) rocks of North America. In: G.M. Young (Ed.), Huronian Stratigraphy and Sedimentation. Geol. Ass. Can. Spec. Pap., 12: 97–127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, G.M., 1976. Iron-formation and glaciogenic rocks of the Rapitan Group, Northwest Territories, Canâda. Precambr. Res., 3: 137–158.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zeschke, G., 1961. Transportation of uraninite in the Indus River, Pakistan. Trans. Geol. Soc. S.Afr., 63: 87–94.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research School of Earth Sciences, The Australian National University, Canberra, A.C.T., Australia

    Scott M. McLennan

Authors
  1. Scott M. McLennan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Baas Becking Geobiological Research Laboratory, Canberra, Australia

    P. A. Trudinger  & M. R. Walter  & 

  2. University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia

    B. J. Ralph

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1980 Australian Academy of Science

About this paper

Cite this paper

McLennan, S.M. (1980). Timing and Relationships Among Precambrian Crustal and Atmospheric Evolution and Banded Iron-Formations. In: Trudinger, P.A., Walter, M.R., Ralph, B.J. (eds) Biogeochemistry of Ancient and Modern Environments. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-48739-2_8

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-48739-2_8

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-48741-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-48739-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation