3D characterization of stromatolites and the emergence of complexity

Michael C. Storrie-Lombardi; Stanley M. Awramik; John Nesson

doi:10.1117/12.800918

28 August 2008 3D characterization of stromatolites and the emergence of complexity

Michael C. Storrie-Lombardi, Stanley M. Awramik, John Nesson

Proceedings Volume 7097, Instruments, Methods, and Missions for Astrobiology XI; 709711 (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.800918
Event: Optical Engineering + Applications, 2008, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Stromatolites offer a unique fossil record across 3.5 Ga of microbial community evolution within the context of an evolving Earth. Our interest is in developing quantitative metrics to follow the evolution of stromatolite morphological complexity. Adopting the canonical definition of complexity as the emergence of previously unseen properties in a dynamic phenomenon, we have previously proposed in these proceedings that laminations are the defining emergent property of stromatolites and we have employed a set of statistical information metrics to quantify laminae complexity in two spatial dimensions. We now demonstrate computer x-ray tomography of stromatolites and discuss the advantages of this 3D volume density distribution technique for characterizing stromatolite samples. CT imaging makes it possible to create a virtual stromatolite, enabling both research and educational efforts previously hampered by the costs of obtaining, preparing, and distributing precious Archean stromatolite fossils. We discuss recent advances in instrument miniaturization making it feasible to provide nondestructive 3D density and elemental abundance information on endolithic geobiological targets during future manned and unmanned missions to Mars.

Citation Download Citation

Michael C. Storrie-Lombardi, Stanley M. Awramik, and John Nesson "3D characterization of stromatolites and the emergence of complexity", Proc. SPIE 7097, Instruments, Methods, and Missions for Astrobiology XI, 709711 (28 August 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.800918

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