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Atmospheric oxygen regulation at low Proterozoic levels by incomplete oxidative weathering of sedimentary organic carbon

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  • Stuart J. Daines

    (Earth System Science Group, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter)

  • Benjamin J. W. Mills

    (Earth System Science Group, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter
    School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds)

  • Timothy M. Lenton

    (Earth System Science Group, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter)

Abstract

It is unclear why atmospheric oxygen remained trapped at low levels for more than 1.5 billion years following the Paleoproterozoic Great Oxidation Event. Here, we use models for erosion, weathering and biogeochemical cycling to show that this can be explained by the tectonic recycling of previously accumulated sedimentary organic carbon, combined with the oxygen sensitivity of oxidative weathering. Our results indicate a strong negative feedback regime when atmospheric oxygen concentration is of order pO2∼0.1 PAL (present atmospheric level), but that stability is lost at pO2

Suggested Citation

  • Stuart J. Daines & Benjamin J. W. Mills & Timothy M. Lenton, 2017. "Atmospheric oxygen regulation at low Proterozoic levels by incomplete oxidative weathering of sedimentary organic carbon," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-11, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:8:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms14379
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14379
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    1. Babette A. A. Hoogakker & Caroline Anderson & Tommaso Paoloni & Andrew Stott & Helen Grant & Patrick Keenan & Claire Mahaffey & Sabena Blackbird & Erin L. McClymont & Ros Rickaby & Alex Poulton & Vict, 2022. "Planktonic foraminifera organic carbon isotopes as archives of upper ocean carbon cycling," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.

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