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Nature 417, 127-128 (9 May 2002) | doi:10.1038/417127a

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Biogeochemistry: A lowdown on oxygen

John M. Hayes

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We can hope that the term 'palaeophosphatometry' won't catch on. The approach it describes has nonetheless delivered a plausible — if partial — answer to one of the main questions about Earth's history.

There are two big questions about the early history of oxygen-producing — oxygenic — photosynthesis. When did it start?