Reconstructing the palaeoecology of a middle Permian alkaline lake using molecular fossils, case study of the Lucaogou Formation in the Junggar Basin, NW China

• Published in: Organic geochemistry Vol. 193; p. 104791
• Main Authors: Ding, Wenjing, Hou, Dujie, Li, Li, Jiang, Lian, Zhang, Ziming, Jiang, Yuhan, George, Simon C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2024
• Subjects: alkanes; Araucariaceae; biodiversity; Biological diversity; case studies; China; Chlorobiaceae; Chlorophyceae; Chlorophyta; Chromatiaceae; Ciliophora; class; Conifers; Cupressaceae; Cyanobacteria; geochemistry; hopanoids; methanotrophs; Methylococcaceae; Miozoa; organic matter; paleoecology; Permian period; photosynthesis; Pinaceae; salt lakes; sulfur; Sulfur bacteria; Type Ⅰ methanotrophs; China; Conifers; Sulfur bacteria; Chlorophyta; Type Ⅰ methanotrophs; Cyanobacteria; Biological diversity

•Palaeoecology during deposition of the Lucaogou Formation was reconstructed.•Type Ⅰ aerobic methanotrophs are indicated by abundant 3β-methylhopanes.•2α-Methylhopanes, 7- and 8-methylheptadecanes indicative of cyanobacteria.•Green algae Chlorophyta were the most likely dominant microalgae.•Some aro...