Emergence of the aerobic biosphere during the Archean-Proterozoic transition: challenges of future research

Melezhik, V.A., Fallick, A., Hanski, E.J., Kump, L.R., Lepland, A., Prave, A.R. and Strauss, H. (2005) Emergence of the aerobic biosphere during the Archean-Proterozoic transition: challenges of future research. GSA Today, 15(11), pp. 4-11.

Abstract

The earth system experienced a series of fundamental upheavals throughout the Archean-Paleoproterozoic transition (ca. 2500–2000 Ma). Most important were the establishment of an oxygen-rich atmosphere and the emergence of an aerobic biosphere. Fennoscandia provides a fairly complete record of the hallmark events of that transition: widespread igneous activity, its association with a possible upper-mantle oxidizing event, the global Huronian glaciation, a rise in atmospheric oxygen, the protracted and large-magnitude Lomagundi-Jatuli carbon isotope excursion, a substantial increase in the seawater sulfate reservoir, changes in the sulfur and phosphorus cycles, a radical modification in recycling of organic matter, and the Shunga Event—the accumulation of unprecedented organic-matter–rich sediments and the oldest known inferred generation of significant petroleum. Current research efforts are focused on providing an accurate temporal framework for these events and linking them into a coherent story of earth system evolution.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Fallick, Professor Anthony
• Authors: Melezhik, V.A., Fallick, A., Hanski, E.J., Kump, L.R., Lepland, A., Prave, A.R., and Strauss, H.
• Subjects: Q Science > QE Geology
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
• Journal Name: GSA Today
• Publisher: Geological Society of America
• ISSN (Online): 1052-5173
• Published Online: 01 November 2005