The role of pyrite in fossilisation and its potential instability

Geological Curator Pub Date : 2019-06-01 DOI:10.55468/gc402
K. Miles
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引用次数: 1

Abstract

Pyrite often forms in organic-rich marine sediments through bacterial action. Bacteria reduce organics to form bisulphide, which reacts in turn with dissolved iron in seawater to form pyrite. Consequently, it is frequently found in stratigraphic formations that consist of marine clays. Pyrite can be involved in fossilisation through a number of ways, including complete replacement, as infill in permineralised bone, or simply as microcrystals finely disseminated through the fossil and matrix. Replacement by pyrite can often be easily recognised: the fossil may have a gold or brassy metallic lustre. Infill is harder to recognise, and disseminated pyrite even more so. Pyrite in fossils may be stable or unstable- in its stable form, pyritised fossils will generally retain their shiny, metallic appearance. Pyrite preservation and stability can vary even within the same specimen. Fossils preserved in pyrite can be prone to oxidation, particularly at high relative humidities. There are a number of signs that indicate oxidation is occurring, depending on the severity of the condition. One or more of the following may be present: a sulphurous smell, white or yellow powdery crystals on the surface of the specimen, expansion cracks, as well as acid burns on associated labels, boxes and drawers. Such burns often have a characteristic ovoid appearance. If left unchecked, pyrite oxidation can completely destroy a specimen and its labels.
黄铁矿在石化过程中的作用及其潜在的不稳定性
黄铁矿通常在富含有机物的海洋沉积物中通过细菌作用形成。细菌将有机物还原成硫化物,而硫化物又与海水中溶解的铁反应生成黄铁矿。因此,它经常在由海相粘土组成的地层中被发现。黄铁矿可以通过多种方式参与化石,包括完全替代,作为过矿化骨的填充物,或简单地作为微晶体细分布在化石和基质中。黄铁矿的替代通常很容易识别:化石可能具有金色或黄铜的金属光泽。填充物更难识别,浸染黄铁矿更难识别。化石中的黄铁矿可能是稳定的,也可能是不稳定的——在稳定的形式下,黄铁矿化的化石通常会保持其闪亮的金属外观。即使在同一样品中,黄铁矿的保存和稳定性也会有所不同。保存在黄铁矿中的化石容易氧化,特别是在相对湿度较高的情况下。有许多迹象表明氧化正在发生,这取决于病情的严重程度。可能出现以下一种或多种情况:含硫气味、试样表面出现白色或黄色粉状晶体、膨胀裂纹以及相关标签、盒子和抽屉上的酸烧。这种烧伤通常具有典型的卵形外观。如果不加以控制,黄铁矿氧化可以完全破坏标本及其标签。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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