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The Rise Of Oxygen From Earth 's Early Ocean And Atmosphere

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The Rise of Oxygen in Earth’s Early Ocean and Atmosphere discuss the changes of oxygen throughout Earth’s history. Chronological events in history that characterize major changes in ocean or atmospheric conditions are supported by varying methods of research. Intervals between 3.0 and 0.8 billion years ago that have significant proven evidence or promising ongoing evidence are discussed. For the purpose of this paper, the main topics to summarize will be based on scientifically proven information. The authors also include potential “ideas” or studies that may lead to something in the future but as of now, cannot be proven. The Great Oxidation Event or GOE (2.4-2.1Gyr) is the first main topic, and is supported by evidence in the rock record. Rust was the major indicator that the atmosphere contained oxygen, and was supported by the presence of easily oxidized minerals. Identifying the initiation of when oxygen began to rise was easier to do than dating other emerging oxygen events. The timing of oxygen-producing photosynthesis in relation to the GOE required several different methods of dating until an agreement was reached. Organic geochemical data initially indicated that oxygen production was older than the GOE. Finding that came from geochemical data were disputed due to the potential contamination of samples. Inorganic approaches aided in reassurance of the geochemical data findings of pre-GOE dating, but the exact sequence is still not certain. The

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