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Tracing the oxygen isotope composition of the upper Earth’s atmosphere using cosmic spherules

Author

Listed:
  • Andreas Pack

    (Universität Göttingen, Geowissenschaftliches Zentrum)

  • Andres Höweling

    (Universität Göttingen, Geowissenschaftliches Zentrum
    Karlsruher Institut für Technologie, Institut für Angewandte Materialien - Werkstoffprozesstechnik)

  • Dominik C. Hezel

    (Universität Köln, Institut für Geologie und Mineralogie)

  • Maren T. Stefanak

    (Universität Göttingen, Geowissenschaftliches Zentrum)

  • Anne-Katrin Beck

    (Universität Göttingen, Geowissenschaftliches Zentrum)

  • Stefan T. M. Peters

    (Universität Göttingen, Geowissenschaftliches Zentrum)

  • Sukanya Sengupta

    (Universität Göttingen, Geowissenschaftliches Zentrum)

  • Daniel Herwartz

    (Universität Köln, Institut für Geologie und Mineralogie)

  • Luigi Folco

    (Universitá di Pisa)

Abstract

Molten I-type cosmic spherules formed by heating, oxidation and melting of extraterrestrial Fe,Ni metal alloys. The entire oxygen in these spherules sources from the atmosphere. Therefore, I-type cosmic spherules are suitable tracers for the isotopic composition of the upper atmosphere at altitudes between 80 and 115 km. Here we present data on I-type cosmic spherules collected in Antarctica. Their composition is compared with the composition of tropospheric O2. Our data suggest that the Earth's atmospheric O2 is isotopically homogenous up to the thermosphere. This makes fossil I-type micrometeorites ideal proxies for ancient atmospheric CO2 levels.

Suggested Citation

  • Andreas Pack & Andres Höweling & Dominik C. Hezel & Maren T. Stefanak & Anne-Katrin Beck & Stefan T. M. Peters & Sukanya Sengupta & Daniel Herwartz & Luigi Folco, 2017. "Tracing the oxygen isotope composition of the upper Earth’s atmosphere using cosmic spherules," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-7, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:8:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms15702
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15702
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