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The Shunga Event; did a Precambrian mass extinction give rise to an ancient supergiant oil field? Geological Digressions, Earth science resources, SCICOMM Ancient Earth, Precambrian geology, origin of life, atmosphere, oceans Yours, Paul H.

Recently, I hunted along the banks of the Grand River. I found many fossils in gravel and since my husband is complaining about my rocks and fossils taking over the house, gravel is good. The soil was black but it did t look like it was oil. I’ve volunteered a couple of time at oil slicks, cleaning the beach, bathing birds and very cute little seals. We went back every year for a while and the oil stained but was also slightly slick feeling. This dirt wasn’t slick and it didn’t transfer like oil does. But a few of the gravel are stained black. At first I thought it was a natural occurring pigment like we see around Magnet Cove in Arkansas. After a while o began to think it’s black from an oil spill that happened a few years back. The black cones off if I use a little force with the dental pick and it isn’t sticky or oily. My question is two fold: if the black is oil stains is it harmful to my pets or family and is there a chemical that stains rocks black? I know you cannot tell much by pictures but I am going to try and post one. Thanks for any insight or information any of you can provide.