A demonstration of an affinity between pyrite and organic matter in a hydrothermal setting

Lindgren, P., Parnell, J., Holm, N.G. and Broman, C. (2011) A demonstration of an affinity between pyrite and organic matter in a hydrothermal setting. Geochemical Transactions, 12(3), (doi: 10.1186/1467-4866-12-3)

Abstract

One of the key-principles of the iron-sulphur world theory is to bring organic molecules close enough to interact with each other, using the surface of pyrite as a substrate in a hydrothermal setting. The present paper explores the relationship of pyrite and organic matter in a hydrothermal setting from the geological record; in hydrothermal calcite veins from Carboniferous limestones in central Ireland. Here, the organic matter is accumulated as coatings around, and through, pyrite grains. Most of the pyrite grains are euhedral-subhedral crystals, ranging in size from ca 0.1-0.5 mm in diameter, and they are scattered throughout the matrix of the vein calcite. The organic matter was deposited from a hydrothermal fluid at a temperature of at least 200°C, and gives a Raman signature of disordered carbon. This study points to an example from a hydrothermal setting in the geological record, demonstrating that pyrite can have a high potential for the concentration and accumulation of organic materials.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Lindgren, Dr Paula
• Authors: Lindgren, P., Parnell, J., Holm, N.G., and Broman, C.
• Subjects: Q Science > QE Geology; G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
• Journal Name: Geochemical Transactions
• Publisher: BioMed Central
• ISSN: 1467-4866
• Published Online: 07 February 2011
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2011 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Geochemical Transactions 12:3
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced with the permission of the authors