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Chemical characterization of Lower Devonian vascular plants

Ewbank, G., Edwards, Dianne ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9786-4395 and Abbott, G. D. 1996. Chemical characterization of Lower Devonian vascular plants. Organic Geochemistry 25 (8) , pp. 461-473. 10.1016/S0146-6380(96)00140-4

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Abstract

Vegetative remains of three coalified Lower Devonian vascular plants (Zosterophyllum, Psilophyton, Renalia) were analyzed using flash pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The distributions of pyrolysis products are compared with those from younger vascular plant fossil xylem (Cordaixylon, Callixylon) and cuticle (Pachypteris). The likelihood of the chemical preservation of characteristic higher plant macromolecules (e.g., lignin and cutan) in the Lower Devonian plant fossils is considered in light of this comparison and associated thermal maturity assessments. Reflectance values from vitrinite-like macerals, which may not be vitrinite sensu stricto in the Lower Devonian host rocks for the fossils selected for this study, are shown to provide a reasonable assessment of the thermal maturity of these early vascular plant fossils. Although lignin altered through burial maturation is the most likely source of the prominent alkylphenols and aromatic hydrocarbons in the Lower Devonian tracheophyte flash pyrolysates, a contribution from thermally modified tannins cannot be ruled out. Comparison of the highly aliphatic pyrolysates from the Zosterophyllum and Psilophyton axes with that of a thermally mature fossil gymnosperm leaf revealed that cutan was an important component in the Devonian plant remains. This is the earliest chemical evidence for the presence of cutan in vascular plants.

Item Type: Article
Date Type: Publication
Status: Published
Schools: Earth and Environmental Sciences
Subjects: Q Science > QE Geology
Q Science > QK Botany
Uncontrolled Keywords: Lower Devonian plants; vascular plant evolution; fossil wood; fossil leaves; lignin; cutan; flash pyrolysis
Publisher: Elsevier
ISSN: 0146-6380
Last Modified: 18 Oct 2022 12:35
URI: https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/10511

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