The Etive igneous complex has intruded into Dalradian and Moine meta-sedimentary rocks in Devonian. Main rock types of the complex are granodiorite, monzodiorite, monzogranite, granite and diorite. Geochemical studies show that the magmas were of high K calc-alkaline, I-type and metaluminous nature. Application of discriminant diagrams to the Etive rocks indicates a possible within-plate tecton...

Organic-rich shales are populated by methanogenic consortia that are able to degrade the fossilized organic matter into methane gas. To identify the organic fraction effectively degraded, we have sequentially depleted two types of organic-rich sedimentary rocks, shale, and coal, at two different maturities, by successive solvent extractions to remove the most soluble fractions (maltenes and asp...

Paracelsus (approx. 1519) is on record as having been among the first to have taken note of the substrate-altering and rock-generating properties of biofilms (Krumbein, 1994). Yet, he simply was so far ahead of his time that his perfectly modern sounding descriptions were soon forgotten. Subsequently, scientists have discovered, forgotten, and re-invented the significance of biofilms and microb...