Bacterial Paleontology of the Neoarchean Banded Iron Formations of Karelia and the Kola Peninsula
Probable microfossils, presumably of bacterial origin, were found in the banded iron formations of Karelia and the Kola Peninsula. Based on the organic carbon content and balance estimations, it was established that these banded iron formations were deposited in environments rich in organic matter. Comparative analysis of the morphology of Recent and Neoarchean microorganisms suggests a bacterial origin for some magnetite in the studied quartzites.