Oldest Life Forms on Earth Discovered in 3.42 Billion-Year-Old Rock Samples – New Study from University of Göttingen and Linnaeus University

Scientists Discover Evidence of Oldest Life Forms on Earth

Scientists have found evidence of the oldest life forms on Earth in rock samples dating back more than three billion years.

Discovery of Ancient Microbial Communities

The University of Göttingen and Linnaeus University in Sweden led a research team that discovered evidence of a diverse carbon cycle involving microbial communities about 3.42 billion years ago.

Implications for Paleobiology

This new study demonstrates that diverse microbial communities existed throughout the Paleozoic Era, which is the second era of the Paleozoic Eon, the second eon of geological time before the Pre-Cambrian, which extends 3,600 to 3,200 million years ago, indicating that life began as early as Earth history.

Ancient Microbial Ecosystems

“Our findings significantly advance the understanding of ancient microbial ecosystems and open new horizons for research in the field of paleobiology,” said Manuel Reinhart, lead researcher from the Center for Geosciences at the University of Göttingen.

Study Methodology and Findings

To conduct this study, scientists obtained ancient rock samples from the Barberton Greenstone Belt mountain range in South Africa. The rocks in this belt have been recorded as among the oldest on Earth. Scientists discovered traces of well-preserved carbonaceous particles among the rocks, which was surprising. The press release describes the matter as “the remains of altered organisms.”

Analysis and Results

Meticulous analysis of microscopic particles allowed scientists to identify the original biological traces while distinguishing them from any subsequent contamination over a long period. Interestingly, the analysis revealed various “geochemical signatures” left behind by a variety of ancient, small life forms. The data suggest that these microorganisms used sunlight for energy, metabolized sulfate, and may have produced methane.

Techniques Used and Further Understanding

“We didn’t expect to find traces of so many microbial metabolic processes,” Reinhardt added. “It was like looking for a needle in a haystack.” To further understand the precise functions of these microbes in the carbon cycle of the ancient ecosystem, scientists combined geochemical data with studies of rock texture. This comprehensive technique, which included examining a thin section under a microscope, revealed important information about ancient microbial activity in the ecosystem.

Publication and Source

“By detecting carbonaceous material in primary pyrite crystals and analyzing the carbon and sulfur isotopes in these materials, we were able to distinguish between individual microbial metabolic processes,” Henrik Drake, lead author of the study from Linus University, said in a statement. The results were published in the journal Precambrian Research. Source: Interesting Engineering

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