Geobiology of Precambrian African seeps

An understanding of the relationship between biosphere and geosphere may rely on the ability to decipher evidence of life preserved in the rock record. Thus recognizing direct and indirect evidences of microbial activities (biosignatures) in ancient rocks remains a central challenge in geobiology studies. The focus of this project is to localize and investigate potential fossil hydrocarbon seep dominated systems and related deposits and signatures in the Precambrian and Paleozoic geological record in Africa, mainly using comparative (e.g. modern, fossil and potential Precambrian seeps) analyses and geomicrobiological approaches