The Archean atmosphere

Science Advances
D C Catling, K J Zahnle

Abstract

The atmosphere of the Archean eon-one-third of Earth's history-is important for understanding the evolution of our planet and Earth-like exoplanets. New geological proxies combined with models constrain atmospheric composition. They imply surface O2 levels <10-6 times present, N2 levels that were similar to today or possibly a few times lower, and CO2 and CH4 levels ranging ~10 to 2500 and 102 to 104 times modern amounts, respectively. The greenhouse gas concentrations were sufficient to offset a fainter Sun. Climate moderation by the carbon cycle suggests average surface temperatures between 0° and 40°C, consistent with occasional glaciations. Isotopic mass fractionation of atmospheric xenon through the Archean until atmospheric oxygenation is best explained by drag of xenon ions by hydrogen escaping rapidly into space. These data imply that substantial loss of hydrogen oxidized the Earth. Despite these advances, detailed understanding of the coevolving solid Earth, biosphere, and atmosphere remains elusive, however.

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Citations

Jun 3, 2020·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Matthew R WarkeMark W Claire
Jul 4, 2020·Scientific Reports·Michael WellsJohn F Stolz
Nov 26, 2020·Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·Sergio RubinKarl Friston
Feb 2, 2021·Science Advances·Sarah J HurleyJeffrey C Cameron
Dec 12, 2020·Scientific Reports·Daria G ZavarzinaAndrey Yu Bychkov
Feb 27, 2021·Nature Ecology & Evolution·Jagoda Jabłońska, Dan S Tawfik
Dec 4, 2020·Bio Systems·Sergio RubinPedro Maldonado
May 14, 2021·BioEssays : News and Reviews in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology·Charles H LineweaverPaul C W Davies
Jun 3, 2021·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Daniel HerwartzThorsten J Nagel
Jul 20, 2021·Origins of Life and Evolution of the Biosphere : the Journal of the International Society for the Study of the Origin of Life·Michael O GaylorVytis Karanauskus
Aug 19, 2021·Astrobiology·Edgard G Rivera-ValentínAbel Méndez
May 17, 2021·Molecular Biology and Evolution·Yiyan YangZhiwei Cao
Sep 30, 2021·Science Advances·Aleisha C JohnsonAriel D Anbar
Oct 1, 2021·Environmental Science & Technology·Mihebai YilimulatiShujuan Zhang

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
x-ray tomography

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