RT Journal Article
T1 Microphytoplankton biometry as prospective vector for sulphide ore deposits: a case study in the Iberian Pyrite Belt
A1 González Barrionuevo, Felipe
A1 Sáez Ramos, Reinaldo
A1 Moreno Garrido, María Carmen
AB The Iberian Pyrite Belt contains one of the largest accumulations of massive sulphide deposits on Earth. Many of these deposits are hosted by latest Devonian black shales rich in terrestrial and marine palynomorphs. Among the marine fossils, the most abundantly reported species is Maranhites mosesii. By means of a multi-analytical methodology, including (1) biometry of specimens, (2) TOFSIMS imaging and spectral analysis of selected specimens and (3) host-rock geochemistry, we detected that cysts of M. mosesii are smaller and lighter in massive sulphidegenerating environments than in coeval non-massive sulphide-generating environment. Cysts of M. mosesii sank after encystment and maturated in the seafloor of different subbasins affected by disparate anoxic conditions. The specimens that maturated in anoxic settings enriched in pollutants, like Arsenic (As) and Lead (Pb), were smaller and lighter than those from nonpolluted anoxic environments. Their organic walls were also enriched in As. Neither the anoxia nor the pollutants prevented the proliferation of M. mosesii, as this was the most abundant phytoplanktonic species in all environments. To explain this, we suggest that this species developed a successful adaptive mechanism that might involve anaerobic metabolic interchange with the surrounding oxygen-depleted media and high levels of tolerance to stressors. Whatever the reason, it entails a causal relationship between cyst size and seafloor environmental conditions. In consequence, the biometry of M. mosesii can be envisaged as a promising vector for sulphide deposit exploration in the Iberian Pyrite Belt.
PB Cambridge University Press
SN 0016-7568
SN 1469-5081 (electrónico)
YR 2025
FD 2025
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10272/27466
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10272/27466
LA eng
NO González, F., Sáez, R., & Moreno, C. (2025). Microphytoplankton biometry as prospective vector for sulphide ore deposits: a case study in the Iberian Pyrite Belt. Geological Magazine, 162. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0016756825100034
NO This research was funded by the CICYT (Spain) Research Project CGL2016-79204-R and the Research Group THARSIS RNM 198-PAI (Junta de Andalucía)
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Huelva
RD 13 jul 2026