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Phosphate oxygen isotopic evidence for a temperate and biologically active Archaean ocean

Author

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  • Ruth E. Blake

    (Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8109, USA)

  • Sae Jung Chang

    (Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8109, USA)

  • Aivo Lepland

    (Geological Survey of Norway
    Tallinn Technical University, Institute of Geology)

Abstract

A temperate Archaean ocean It had been thought that ocean temperatures during the early Archaean (around 3.5 billion years ago) were between 55 and 85 °C. But a recent study made a case for Archaean ocean temperatures no greater than 40 °C. The well-preserved rocks of the Barberton Greenstone Belt in southern Africa contain a geochemical record of the early life and ocean chemistry of 3.2 to 3.5 billion years ago. A new study of oxygen isotope compositions of phosphates in Barberton sediments provides support for the cooler, temperate Archaean ocean around 26 to 35 °C. The findings suggest a well-developed phosphorus cycle and evolved biological activity on the Archaean Earth.

Suggested Citation

  • Ruth E. Blake & Sae Jung Chang & Aivo Lepland, 2010. "Phosphate oxygen isotopic evidence for a temperate and biologically active Archaean ocean," Nature, Nature, vol. 464(7291), pages 1029-1032, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:464:y:2010:i:7291:d:10.1038_nature08952
    DOI: 10.1038/nature08952
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