Survival of blue-green algae under primitive atmospheric conditions

Conditions on the primordial Earth are reviewed and information on pertinent microfossils and primitive microorganisms presented. A series of simulated pre-Cambrian environments are set up and 8 strains of blue-green algae are tested under 7 different anaerobic, mildly reducing atmospheres. Of 61 cultures tested, 12 showed growth, 32 survived and 17 died. Growth was measured spectrophotometrically. Microscopic examination failed to show any gross morphological changes in the experimental cultures. It is concluded that certain strains of blue-green algae have retained their ability to survive or grow under a primordial atmosphere.This study supported by the Graduate Department of Marine Science, Long Island University. The author wishes to thank Dr George Claus for his kind assistance.