Biogeochemistry of modern Porifera and microbialites from Lizard Island (Great Barrier Reef, Australia) and fossil analogues

Abstract

Organic geochemical techniques were applied to study the lipid conte nt of living reef organisms and rock sampies trom different carbonate facies. The characterization of individual organic compounds ("biomarkers") yields information on the biology and paleontology of microbially derived carbonate rocks, sponges and sponge-microbiota communities on a molecular level.