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Tracing Oxygenic Photosynthesis via La-Ce Geochronology
- The origins of oxygenic photosynthesis are a hotly debated topic among scientists, but recent research by Patry et al. suggests it may have emerged during the Mesoarchaean era, over 2.7 billion years ago.
- Geochemical proxies from ancient sedimentary rocks hint at early oxygen production, with some indications dating back over 3 billion years.
- Challenges in assessing ancient oxygen levels include post-depositional alterations and isotopic ambiguities in samples, leading to controversial interpretations.
- Patry and colleagues use rare Earth element signatures in Archaean carbonates to identify direct geochemical evidence of ancient oxygenic activity.
- Cerium anomalies in sedimentary deposits preserved in Canada's northwest Superior Craton point to oxygen production well before the Great Oxidation Event.
- The application of ^138La-^138Ce geochronology allows for precise dating of oxidative fractionation, excluding post-depositional alteration as a source of the signal.
- Discoveries support a Mesoarchaean origin for oxygenic photosynthesis, reshaping our understanding of Earth's early biosphere and atmospheric evolution.
- Integration of rare Earth element geochemistry with isotopic dating aids in probing ancient microbial metabolisms and environmental transformations.
- Research highlights complexities in interpreting rock records, emphasizing the importance of continued sampling across different cratons.
- Patry et al.'s work signifies a significant advancement in understanding the timing of life's contribution to planetary oxygenation through La-Ce geochronology.
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