前寒武纪占了地球地质历史的八分之七,其地层中有机质的研究,是一个十分重要的领域。它主要包括两个方面的意义:一方面在于追踪地球早期历史的生物演化,企图为了解地球上生命起源和早期生命的特点提供信息;另外在于对前寒武纪、特别是晚前寒武纪地层中石油的兴趣。六十年代,G.Eglinton和M.Calvin提出了“化学化石”的概念。“化学化石”也叫做分子化石或“地球化学化石”。它是沉积物中生物遗体所残留下来的有机分子,虽然经历了成岩作用的变化,但仍继承和保留了原有的分子结构(或同 Precambrian accounts for seven-eighths of the earth’s geological history, the organic matter in the stratigraphic study is a very important area. It mainly includes two aspects: on the one hand, the tracking of the biological evolution in the early history of the earth in an attempt to provide information for understanding the characteristics of the origins of life and early life on Earth; and in addition to providing information on the Precambrian, especially the late Precambrian Stratum interest in oil. Sixties, G.Eglinton and M. Calvin put forward the concept of “chemical fossils.” Chemical fossils are also called molecular fossils or “geochemical fossils.” It is an organic molecule left behind by biological remains in sediments. Although it has undergone diagenetic changes, it still inherits and retains its original molecular structure