Tostevin, R and Mills, BJW orcid.org/0000-0002-9141-0931 (2020) Reconciling proxy records and models of Earth's oxygenation during the Neoproterozoic and Palaeozoic. Interface Focus, 10 (4). 20190137. ISSN 2042-8901
Abstract
A hypothesized rise in oxygen levels in the Neoproterozoic, dubbed the Neoproterozoic Oxygenation Event, has been repeatedly linked to the origin and rise of animal life. However, a new body of work has emerged over the past decade that questions this narrative. We explore available proxy records of atmospheric and marine oxygenation and, considering the unique systematics of each geochemical system, attempt to reconcile the data. We also present new results from a comprehensive COPSE biogeochemical model that combines several recent additions, to create a continuous model record from 850 to 250 Ma. We conclude that oxygen levels were intermediate across the Ediacaran and early Palaeozoic, and highly dynamic. Stable, modern-like conditions were not reached until the Late Palaeozoic. We therefore propose that the terms Neoproterozoic Oxygenation Window and Palaeozoic Oxygenation Event are more appropriate descriptors of the rise of oxygen in Earth's atmosphere and oceans.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2020 The Author(s). This is an author produced version of an article published in Interface Focus. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Palaeozoic; oxygenation; redox proxies; COPSE; Neoproterozoic |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Environment (Leeds) > School of Earth and Environment (Leeds) > Earth Surface Science Institute (ESSI) (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 08 Oct 2020 12:28 |
Last Modified: | 10 Oct 2020 04:48 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | The Royal Society |
Identification Number: | 10.1098/rsfs.2019.0137 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:165529 |