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A microstructure study on silicified wood from the Permian Petrified Forest of Chemnitz

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Abstract

Three typical plant taxa from the fossil assemblage of the 290-million-year-old Chemnitz Petrified Forest (Zeisigwald Tuff Horizon, Leukersdorf Formation) were studied with regard to the microstructure of the petrifactions: samples of the tree fern Psaronius sp., the seed fern Medullosa stellata, and the gymnosperm Dadoxylon sp. The plant’s tissues are anatomically preserved by silica exhibiting different crystalline order and by other mineralisations. Specimens were studied by means of electron backscatter imaging and electron backscatter diffraction in a scanning electron microscope. The cell walls were largely preserved by quartz crystals, the cell lumina by cryptocrystalline silica. The former organisation and chemical composition of the vascular tissue are mirrored by varying grain formation and grain size. Results are discussed in terms of extant xylem cell wall organisation showing highly hydrophilic cellulose and hemicellulose cross-linked by hydrophobic lignin. The effect of polar and non-polar wood components on the precipitation of silica from aqueous solution and on the formation of crystals is convincing, and the reported results provide a better understanding of how silica replaced organic matter during the petrifaction process.

Kurzfassung

Drei typische Kieselhölzer des 290 Millionen Jahre alten Versteinerten Waldes von Chemnitz (Zeisigwald Tuff-Horizont, Leukersdorf-Formation) wurden hinsichtlich ihrer Mikrostruktur untersucht: Proben des Baumfarns Psaronius sp., des Farnsamers Medullosa stellata, und des Nacktsamers Dadoxylon sp. Mittels Rückstreuelektronen-Abbildungen und Beugungsuntersuchungen im Rasterelektronenmikroskop wird die vorzügliche anatomische Erhaltung des Pflanzengewebes durch Silifizierung und andere Mineralisationen gezeigt. Die Zellwände weisen zumeist Quarz in gut ausgebildeten Kristallen auf, während die eingeschlossenen Zelllumina durch kryptokristalline Siliziumdioxid-Varietäten konserviert wurden. Die unterschiedliche Kristallinität sowie die Anordnung und Größe der Kristallite spiegeln den ursprünglich vorhandenen Aufbau der Zellwand und deren chemische Zusammensetzung im Holzteil wider. Die Ergebnisse werden mit Bezug auf die Zellwandorganisation des Xylems rezenter Pflanzen diskutiert, das aus stark hydrophiler Zellulose und Hemizellulose besteht, die durch hydrophobes Lignin vernetzt sind. Der Einfluss der polaren und unpolaren Holzbestandteile auf die Ausfällung von Silica aus einem wässrigen Sol und auf die Kristallisation ist auffallend. Im Umkehrschluss ermöglichen die vorgestellten Ergebnisse ein vertieftes Verständnis, wie während des Versteinerungsprozesses die organischen Bestandteile silifiziert wurden.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge the reviewers Prof. Edith L. Taylor, and Dr. Ignacio H. Escapa for detailed and helpful comments as well as valuable discussions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09107, Chemnitz, Germany

    Dagmar Dietrich & Thomas Lampke

  2. Museum für Naturkunde, Moritzstraße 20, 09111, Chemnitz, Germany

    Ronny Rößler

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  1. Dagmar Dietrich
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  2. Thomas Lampke
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  3. Ronny Rößler
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Correspondence to Dagmar Dietrich.

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Dietrich, D., Lampke, T. & Rößler, R. A microstructure study on silicified wood from the Permian Petrified Forest of Chemnitz. Paläontol Z 87, 397–407 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12542-012-0162-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12542-012-0162-0

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