Esthetic Baicalia Stromatolites from Precambrian Of China

Description: Here is very interesting and esthetically-pleasing mid-Proterozoic stromatolite from near Beijing, Peoples Republic of China. The oval to circular, darker reddish-brown structures in the matrix are bacterial fossil nodules, referred to as Baicalia sp. These may be what are commonly called algal balls, formed by separate colonies of prokaryotic, photosynthetic bacteria likely to be cyanobacteria, the primitive organisms that largely produced Earth's atmospheric oxygen. Alternatively, the distinct structures within the stromatolite could signify temporal variation of growth patterns in a large global colony that resulted due to changing conditions in the benthic environment.

Baicalia sp. is a putative bacterium believed to have been a photosynthetic prokaryote that oxidized ambient iron and other heavy metals as part of their metabolic pathway. The presence of the metals such as iron for precipitation would be tangible evidence that Precambrian times had extensive volcanic activity.

The specimen has been hand-polished to a glassine finish on one side with fine carbide and diamond abrasive, a very labor-intensive job

Stromatolites have persisted to the modern day in such places as Shark Bay, Australia where they continue their billions of years old lifestyle. While this piece would make a fine present for any natural history buff, anyone who appreciates art would also be glad to get thus wonderful specimen as a gift.