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High Molybdenum availability for evolution in a Mesoproterozoic lacustrine environment

Author

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  • John Parnell

    (School of Geosciences, University of Aberdeen)

  • Samuel Spinks

    (School of Geosciences, University of Aberdeen
    Present address: CSIRO Mineral Resources Flagship, Australian Resources Research Centre, Perth, Western Australia 6151, Australia.)

  • Steven Andrews

    (School of Geosciences, University of Aberdeen)

  • Wanethon Thayalan

    (School of Geosciences, University of Aberdeen)

  • Stephen Bowden

    (School of Geosciences, University of Aberdeen)

Abstract

Trace metal data for Proterozoic marine euxinic sediments imply that the expansion of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria and diversification of eukaryotes were delayed while the availability of bioessential metals such as molybdenum in the ocean was limited. However, there is increasing recognition that the Mesoproterozoic evolution of nitrogen fixation and eukaryotic life may have been promoted in marginal marine and terrestrial environments, including lakes, rather than in the deep ocean. Molybdenum availability is critical to life in lakes, just as it is in the oceans. It is, therefore, important to assess molybdenum availability to the lacustrine environment in the Mesoproterozoic. Here we show that the flux of molybdenum to a Mesoproterozoic lake was 1 to 2 orders of magnitude greater than typical fluxes in the modern and ancient marine environment. Thus, there was no barrier to availability to prevent evolution in the terrestrial environment, in contrast to the nutrient-limited Mesoproterozoic oceans.

Suggested Citation

  • John Parnell & Samuel Spinks & Steven Andrews & Wanethon Thayalan & Stephen Bowden, 2015. "High Molybdenum availability for evolution in a Mesoproterozoic lacustrine environment," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-6, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:6:y:2015:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms7996
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms7996
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