Evidence of land plant affinity for the Devonian fossil Protosalvinia (Foerstia)
January 1, 1988
The Devonian plant fossil Protosalvinia (Foerstia) has been examined by solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (PY-GC-MS). Results of these studies reveal that the chemical structure of Protosalvinia is remarkably similar to that of coalified wood. A well-defined phenolic carbon peak in the NMR spectra and the appearance of phenol and alkylated phenols in pyrolysis products are clearly indicative of lignin-like compounds. These data represent significant new information on the chemical nature of Protosalvinia and provide the first substantial organic geochemical evidence for land plant affinity. -Authors
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 1988 |
|---|---|
| Title | Evidence of land plant affinity for the Devonian fossil Protosalvinia (Foerstia) |
| Authors | L.A. Romankiw, Patrick G. Hatcher, J.B. Roen |
| Publication Type | Article |
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Series Title | Lethaia |
| Index ID | 70014344 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |