The rise of oxygen in Earth's early ocean and atmosphere

TW Lyons, CT Reinhard, NJ Planavsky - Nature, 2014 - nature.com
TW Lyons, CT Reinhard, NJ Planavsky
Nature, 2014nature.com
The rapid increase of carbon dioxide concentration in Earth's modern atmosphere is a
matter of major concern. But for the atmosphere of roughly two-and-half billion years ago,
interest centres on a different gas: free oxygen (O2) spawned by early biological production.
The initial increase of O2 in the atmosphere, its delayed build-up in the ocean, its increase to
near-modern levels in the sea and air two billion years later, and its cause-and-effect
relationship with life are among the most compelling stories in Earth's history.
Abstract
The rapid increase of carbon dioxide concentration in Earth’s modern atmosphere is a matter of major concern. But for the atmosphere of roughly two-and-half billion years ago, interest centres on a different gas: free oxygen (O2) spawned by early biological production. The initial increase of O2 in the atmosphere, its delayed build-up in the ocean, its increase to near-modern levels in the sea and air two billion years later, and its cause-and-effect relationship with life are among the most compelling stories in Earth’s history.
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