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Armstorff, Genevieve: A 320 MA Multi-Sphere Record of Biodiversity and Geodynamics Through Fungal Biomarkers [dataset]. PANGAEA, https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.993935 (dataset in review)

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Abstract:
This study presents a high-resolution geochemical reconstruction of terrestrial biomarkers spanning the 320 Ma Carboniferous to 2026 AD Anthropocene. Utilizing a unified 800-sample matrix, I evaluated the evolutionary trajectory of wood-degrading fungal lineages—specifically the Paleancistrus-Phanerochaete transition—through the lens of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) molecular proxies. I introduce a multidimensional analytical framework that integrates the Combined PAH Flux Index (CPFI) and the Higher Plant Parameter (HPP) with planetary-scale drivers, including Inner Core Compositional Rayleigh Numbers (Rac), the Thermal Maturity Index (Im), and the Mathieu stability characteristic (a).
Our results identify a primary metabolic pulse at 318 Ma, where a surge in the CPFI correlates with a high-energy state characterized by a CPFI of 0.78 and a calculated reflectance (Rc) of 0.87. Time-series analysis reveals that modern geochemical signatures have bypassed Pleistocene stable baselines, exhibiting a rapid regression to Paleozoic thermal maturity levels (Rc ≈ 0.86+). However, 3D surface modeling of Time, CPFI/HPP ratios, and Phylogenetic Diversity Scores (PDS) uncovers a critical high-frequency lag in modern biological complexity compared to the 318 Ma baseline. These findings suggest that contemporary terrestrial metabolism is currently over-revving in response to orbital excitation (q) and intensified geodynamic conductivity, marking a fundamental departure from planetary equilibrium.
Keyword(s):
Biodiversity; biodiversity - ecosystem functioning; Biomarkers; Chemical/biological analysis; geochemical archives; geochemical conditions; geochemical cycles; geodynamic modeling; Geodynamics; Organic-binding ligands; Organic carbon; Paleoclimate; paleoclimate archive; paleoclimate proxy; Paleoclimate reconstructions; paleoclimatology
References:
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Flannery, D T; Walter, Malcolm R (2012): Archean tufted microbial mats and the search for life on Mars. Nature
Granitto, Matthew; Goldman, Margaret A; Labay, Keith; San Juan, Carma A; Azain, Jaime S; Rozinek, Toni R (2026): Geochemical data for rock, sediment, soil, and mineral samples, United States and territories, 1962 to 2023 [dataset]. U.S. Geological Survey, https://doi.org/10.5066/P1FXE9GK
Hibbett, David S; Binder, Manfred; Bischoff, Joseph F; Blackwell, Meredith; Cannon, Paul F; Eriksson, Ove E; Huhndorf, Sabine; James, Timothy; Kirk, Paul M; Lücking, Robert; Thorsten Lumbsch, H; Lutzoni, François; Matheny, P Brandon; McLaughlin, David J; Powell, Martha J; Redhead, Scott; Schoch, Conrad L; Spatafora, Joseph W; Stalpers, Joost A; Vilgalys, Rytas; Aime, M Catherine; Aptroot, André; Bauer, Robert; Begerow, Dominik; Benny, Gerald L; Castlebury, Lisa A; Crous, Pedro W; Dai, Yu-Cheng; Gams, Walter; Geiser, David M; Griffith, Gareth W; Gueidan, Cécile; Hawksworth, David L; Hestmark, Geir; Hosaka, Kentaro; Humber, Richard A; Hyde, Kevin D; Ironside, Joseph E; Kõljalg, Urmas; Kurtzman, Cletus P; Larsson, Karl-Henrik; Lichtwardt, Robert; Longcore, Joyce; Miądlikowska, Jolanta; Miller, Andrew; Moncalvo, Jean-Marc; Mozley-Standridge, Sharon; Oberwinkler, Franz; Parmasto, Erast; Reeb, Valérie; Rogers, Jack D; Roux, Claude; Ryvarden, Leif; Sampaio, José Paulo; Schüßler, Arthur; Sugiyama, Junta; Thorn, R Greg; Tibell, Leif; Untereiner, Wendy A; Walker, Christopher; Wang, Zheng; Weir, Alex; Weiss, Michael; White, Merlin M; Winka, Katarina; Yao, Yi-Jian; Zhang, Ning (2007): A higher-level phylogenetic classification of the Fungi. Mycological Research, 111(5), 509-547, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mycres.2007.03.004
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Rayleigh, F R S (1916): LIX. On convection currents in a horizontal layer of fluid, when the higher temperature is on the under side. The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science, 32(192), 529-546, https://doi.org/10.1080/14786441608635602
Schoene, Blair; Eddy, Michael P; Samperton, Kyle M; Keller, C Brenhin; Keller, Gerta; Adatte, Thierry; Khadri, Syed F R (2019): U-Pb constraints on pulsed eruption of the Deccan Traps across the end-Cretaceous mass extinction. Science, 363(6429), 862-866, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aau2422
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Further details:
Armstorff, Genevieve: ReadMe - A 320 MA Geochemical and Geodynamic Record Through Fungal PAH Biomarkers. ReadMe - A 320 MA Multi-Sphere Record of Biodiversity and Geodynamics Through Fungal Biomarkers.pdf
Parameter(s):
#NameShort NameUnitPrincipal InvestigatorMethod/DeviceComment
1AgeAgeMaArmstorff, Genevieve
2AGEAgeka BPArmstorff, GenevieveGeocode
3Mathieu functionaArmstorff, GenevieveCalculated, according to Armstorff (2026)Stability Characteristic
4Orbital excitation functionqArmstorff, GenevieveCalculated, according to Armstorff (2026)
5Periodic forcing functioncos(2t)Armstorff, GenevieveCalculated, according to Armstorff (2026)
6FungiFungiArmstorff, GenevieveModern
7Uniform resource locator/link to referenceURL refArmstorff, Genevieve
8FungiFungiArmstorff, GenevieveAncient
9Carbon, organic, totalTOC%Armstorff, GenevieveCalculated, according to Armstorff (2026)
10ReteneReteneµg/gArmstorff, GenevieveCalculated, see abstract
11CadineneCadineneµg/gArmstorff, GenevieveCalculated, see abstract
12Higher plant parameter indexHPP indexArmstorff, GenevieveCalculated, according to Armstorff (2026)
13Higher plant parameter indexHPP indexArmstorff, GenevieveCalculated, according to Armstorff (2026)
14Higher plant parameter, magnitudeHPP magnitudeArmstorff, GenevieveCalculated, according to Armstorff (2026)
15Stability statusStabilityArmstorff, Genevieve
16Conductivity, electricalECS/mArmstorff, GenevieveCalculated, see abstract
17PhosphorusPµg/gArmstorff, GenevieveCalculated, see abstract
181-Methylphenanthrene1-Methylphenanthreneµg/gArmstorff, GenevieveCalculated, see abstract
192-Methylphenanthrene2-Methylphenanthreneµg/gArmstorff, GenevieveCalculated, see abstract
203-Methylphenanthrene3-Methylphenanthreneµg/gArmstorff, GenevieveCalculated, see abstract
219-Methylphenanthrene9-Methylphenanthreneµg/gArmstorff, GenevieveCalculated, see abstract
22Methylphenanthrene IndexMethylphenanthrene IArmstorff, GenevieveCalculated, see abstractMPI-1
23Rayleigh numberRaArmstorff, GenevieveCalculated, according to Armstorff (2026)
24Vitrinite reflectanceRo%Armstorff, GenevieveCalculated, according to Armstorff (2026)
License:
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC-BY-4.0) (License comes into effect after moratorium ends)
Status:
Curation Level: Enhanced curation (CurationLevelC)
Size:
18400 data points

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