Integrated Study of Microfossils in Stromatolites of the Vendian Chencha Formation, Central Siberia

Abstract

The study of stromatolites of the Vendian Chencha Formation (Ediacaran) of the Baikal-Patom Highland (Central Siberia) was carried out using an integrated approach: biogenic microformations were studied using a scanning electron microscope and the traditional method of optical microscopy. This approach made it possible to identify remains of communities of stromatolite-building cyanobacteria and morphologically complex eukaryotic microorganisms. Such a study eliminates the incorrect determination of biota and expands our understanding of the microbial structure and participation of microorganisms in the formation of stromatolites.