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Evolution of Earth’s oxygenation and temperature depends on surface carbonate accumulation

There are no good models for the chemical evolution of the Earth’s surface over the planet’s lifetime, because models typically overlook the progressive build-up of carbonate rocks in the crust. A new model that includes this accumulation enables the reconstruction of major oxygen and temperature trends throughout Earth’s history.

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Fig. 1: Simulated oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations.

References

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This is a summary of: Alcott, L. J. et al. Crustal carbonate build-up as a driver for Earth’s oxygenation. Nat. Geosci. https://doi.org/10.1038/41561-024-01417-1 (2024).

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Evolution of Earth’s oxygenation and temperature depends on surface carbonate accumulation. Nat. Geosci. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-024-01429-x

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