The Proterozoic Biosphere: A Multidisciplinary Study

Author:   J. William Schopf (University of California, Los Angeles) ,  Cornelis Klein (University of New Mexico)
Publisher:   Cambridge University Press
ISBN:  

9780511601064


Publication Date:   04 April 2011
Format:   Undefined
Availability:   In stock   Availability explained
We have confirmation that this item is in stock with the supplier. It will be ordered in for you and dispatched immediately.

Our Price $435.60 Quantity:  
Add to Cart

Share |

The Proterozoic Biosphere: A Multidisciplinary Study


Add your own review!

Overview

First published in 1992, The Proterozoic Biosphere was the first major study of the paleobiology of the Proterozoic Earth. It is a multidisciplinary work dealing with the evolution of the Earth, the environment and life during the forty percent of Earth's history that extends from the middle of the Precambrian eon (2500 Ma) to the beginning of the Paleozoic era (550 Ma). The book includes a vast amount of data on Proterozoic organisms and their analogs. Prepared by the Precambrian Paleobiology Research Group, a multidisciplinary consortium of forty-one scientists from eight countries, this monograph was a benchmark in the development of the science of the biochemistry and the organic chemistry of Proterozoic sediments. The study aimed to generate data and analyses based on the re-examination of previous studies and on newer investigations and to build towards the future by placing special emphasis on neglected aspects of paleobiologic study and unsolved problems in the field.

Full Product Details

Author:   J. William Schopf (University of California, Los Angeles) ,  Cornelis Klein (University of New Mexico)
Publisher:   Cambridge University Press
Imprint:   Cambridge University Press (Virtual Publishing)
ISBN:  

9780511601064


ISBN 10:   0511601069
Publication Date:   04 April 2011
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Undefined
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In stock   Availability explained
We have confirmation that this item is in stock with the supplier. It will be ordered in for you and dispatched immediately.

Table of Contents

List of contributors; Preface; Part I: 1. Geology and paleobiology of the Archean Earth; 2. Geological evolution of the Proterozoic Earth; 3. Proterozoic biochemistry; 4. Proterozoic atmosphere and ocean; 5. Proterozoic and selected early Cambrian microfossils: prokaryotes and protists; 6. Modern mat-building microbial communities: a key to the interpretation of Proterozoic stromatolitic communities; 7. Proterozoic and earliest Cambrian carbonaceous remains, trace and body fossils; 8. The Proterozoic-early Cambrian evolution of metaphytes and metazoans; 9. Molecular phylogenetics, molecular paleontologym and the Proterozoic fossil record; 10. Biostratigraphy and paleobiology of the Proterozoic; 11. Biotic diversity and rates of evolution during Proterozoic and earliest Phanerozoic time; 12. A paleogeographic model for Vendian and Cambrian time; 13. Evolution of the Proterozoic biosphere: benchmarks, tempo and mode; Part II: 14. Geographic and geologic data for PPRG rock samples; 15. Flow chart and processing procedures for rock samples; 16. Procedures of whole rock and kerogen analysis; 17. Abundances and isotopic compositions of carbon and sulphur species in whole rock and kerogen samples; 18. Procedures for analysis of extractable organic matter; 19. Composition of extractable organic matter; 20. Modern mat-building microbial communities: methods of investigation and supporting data; 21. Construction and use of geological, geochemical and paleobiological databases; 22. Proterozoic and selected early Cambrian microfossils and microfossil-like objects; 23. Described taxa of Proterozoic and selected earliest Cambrian Carbonaceous remains, trace and body fossils; 24. Atlas of representative Proterozoic microfossils; 25. Informal revised classifications of Proterozoic microfossils; 26. Models for Vendian-Cambrian biotic diversity and for Proterozoic atmospheric and ocean chemistry; 27. Glossary of technical terms; References cited; Subject index; Index to geologic units; Taxonomic index.

Reviews

Review of the hardback: ' ... a fundamental reference for all work on the Proterozoic ... a compulsory buy for any institution teaching Earth history.' Euan Nisbet, New Scientist Review of the hardback: ' ... most of the contributions are short and to the point ... must be considered a landmark in Precambrian geology, and a major achievement that so many outstanding scientists were organized into producing a volume that encompasses a large subject area and includes a significant contribution of new data.' Palaeo Review of the hardback: ' ... the section on Proterozoic biogeochemistry will doubtless serve as a reference point for future studies of carbon and sulphur isotopes, as well as biomarker analysis and interpretation ... this volume will surely stimulate research initiatives and serve as a key reference source for anyone interested in pursuing a more detailed understanding of the numerous topics presented.' Palaeo


Review of the hardback: ' ... a fundamental reference for all work on the Proterozoic ... a compulsory buy for any institution teaching Earth history.' Euan Nisbet, New Scientist Review of the hardback: ' ... most of the contributions are short and to the point ... must be considered a landmark in Precambrian geology, and a major achievement that so many outstanding scientists were organized into producing a volume that encompasses a large subject area and includes a significant contribution of new data.' Palaeo Review of the hardback: ' ... the section on Proterozoic biogeochemistry will doubtless serve as a reference point for future studies of carbon and sulphur isotopes, as well as biomarker analysis and interpretation ... this volume will surely stimulate research initiatives and serve as a key reference source for anyone interested in pursuing a more detailed understanding of the numerous topics presented.' Palaeo


Review of the hardback: ' ... a fundamental reference for all work on the Proterozoic ... a compulsory buy for any institution teaching Earth history.' Euan Nisbet, New Scientist Review of the hardback: ' ... most of the contributions are short and to the point ... must be considered a landmark in Precambrian geology, and a major achievement that so many outstanding scientists were organized into producing a volume that encompasses a large subject area and includes a significant contribution of new data.' Palaeo Review of the hardback: ' ... the section on Proterozoic biogeochemistry will doubtless serve as a reference point for future studies of carbon and sulphur isotopes, as well as biomarker analysis and interpretation ... this volume will surely stimulate research initiatives and serve as a key reference source for anyone interested in pursuing a more detailed understanding of the numerous topics presented.' Palaeo ...has many merits. Without exception, the contributing authors are distinguished scientists whose interpretations warrant serious consideration. Annotated lists of published fossil occurrences and biogeochemical data, as well as an extensive bibliography, provide ready access to an extensive and often scattered literature. William Sims Bainbridge, Science ...will surely remain the standard reference of the period.... Leonard T. Boyer, Paleontological Notes ...documents the vast time interval of about 40 percent of the history of our globe...a conformed level of text and a uniform, easy-to-read prose style. Lynn Margulis, The Quarterly Review of Biology ...this monumental work will be an essential reference for any student of Proterozoic life, from advanced undergraduate to specialist. J. Hannibal, Choice ...contains a painstaking testing and development of numerous hypotheses...encyclopedic scope...is undoubtedly a benchmark. Ian J. Fairchild, Nature ...vast and wide-ranging...here are the experts, and here is the best general survey available of the evolution of life in nearly half the Earth's history...this book has been long needed, and will be a fundamental reference...a compulsory buy for any institution teaching Earth history. Euan Nisbet, New Scientist ...an important resource that should find its way into libraries. Anyone with a serious interest in the half of recorded Earth history encompassed by the Proterozoic Eon will want to consult it for data compilations, references, and skeletal discussions of life's evolutionary maturation. Andrew H. Knoll, Science ...an essential addition to the library of any geologist with an interest in the vanished Proterozoic world. Simon Conway Morris, Geology Magazine ...will surely remain the standard reference of the period...[a] magnificent work... Leonard Boyer, NY Paleontological Society Notes This is an impressive book of about 1348 pages, representing the work of 42 authors. It covers about 2000 million years of earth history from almost every aspect, including the structural and sedimentological evolution of the earth, biogeochemistry, microfossils, body fossils, trace fossils and palaeomagnetic models....[S]hould at least be on the shelf of every earth science library. T.P. Crimes, Geological Journal


Author Information

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

No review item found!

Add your own review!

Countries Available

All regions
Latest Reading Guide

lgn

al

Shopping Cart
Your cart is empty
Shopping cart
Mailing List