S.I. TURCHENKO (IPGG RAS)

Sulphur in the Early Precambrian: the origin of inorganic lifeforms and the influence on the nature of the oldest sulphide mineralization

Patterns of sulphur behavior in the Early Precambrian atmosphere, characterized by high conductivity of ultraviolet irradiation and, accordingly, a reducing character as compared to the present-day atmospheric level, are discussed. Such conditions are characterized by the emergence of primary inorganic bioforms during the formation of thiosulphate chemical compounds with organometallic forms and the production of reducing forms of sulphur. These inorganic bioforms could give rise to early lifeforms on the planet and contribute to the formation of authigenic and non-authigenic sulphide mineralization in the oldest Paleoarchean (3,8–3,4 Ga) sedimentary-volcanogenic rock complexes.
Keywords: Early Precambrian, inorganic bioforms, authigenic and non-authigenic sulphide mineralization.