Carbon Isotope Composition of Carbonaceous Matter from the Precambrian of the Witwatersrand System
- 3 March 1967
- journal article
- other
- Published by American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Science
- Vol. 155 (3766), 1096-1097
- https://doi.org/10.1126/science.155.3766.1096
Abstract
Polymerized hydrocarbons occurring in the gold-uranium conglomerates of the Witwatersrand System (South Africa) show δC13 values between —22.4 and —32.8 per mille, their isotopic composition thus falling into the range of sedimentary organic carbon. Accordingly, organic derivation of the material seems very probable. This conclusion is consistent with a model of the existence of organic evolution and biologic activity in times certainly older than 2.15 x 109 years.Keywords
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