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Early oxygenation of the terrestrial environment during the Mesoproterozoic

Author

Listed:
  • John Parnell

    (School of Geosciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, UK)

  • Adrian J. Boyce

    (Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, East Kilbride, Glasgow G75 0QF, UK)

  • Darren Mark

    (Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, East Kilbride, Glasgow G75 0QF, UK)

  • Stephen Bowden

    (School of Geosciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, UK)

  • Sam Spinks

    (School of Geosciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, UK)

Abstract

Early date for Earth's oxygen boost from terrestrial deposits Life on Earth is thought to have evolved in relation to the oxygen content of the atmosphere, which has also controlled the sulphate content of ocean waters by weathering of sulphide minerals in rocks. As the sulphate content has risen, so has the isotopic fractionation of sulphur by microbial life. New data from terrestrial deposits in Scotland, UK, show that the levels of fractionation found today — and thought to have been a catalyst for the spread of complex multicellular life forms — originated 1.18 billion years ago.

Suggested Citation

  • John Parnell & Adrian J. Boyce & Darren Mark & Stephen Bowden & Sam Spinks, 2010. "Early oxygenation of the terrestrial environment during the Mesoproterozoic," Nature, Nature, vol. 468(7321), pages 290-293, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:468:y:2010:i:7321:d:10.1038_nature09538
    DOI: 10.1038/nature09538
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