What did volcanism on early Earth teach us about life? A new study in Nature Communications explores this question. Scientists looked at how volcanoes long ago might have affected the nitrogen cycle, which is important for marine life. This study helps us understand life in early Earth’s oceans.
The researchers studied 2.5-billion-year-old stromatolites in Zimbabwe. Stromatolites are unique rock formations made by tiny microorganisms. They wanted to find out how nitrogen isotope patterns connected to the Great Oxidation Event. This event, which happened about 2.5 billion years ago, was a key moment in the history of life on Earth. Back then, much of the land was underwater, and volcanoes were active in the oceans.
Dr. Ashley Martin, the study’s lead author, said, “Nitrogen and phosphorus are important nutrients for ocean life. We saw high nitrogen levels in shallow water stromatolites and lower levels in deep ocean sediments. This means ammonium moved from deep to shallow waters.”
What new findings about early Earth will scientists discover in the future? We will have to wait and see!
Keep doing science and keep looking up!
Vocabulary List:
- Volcanism /vɒlˈkeɪ.nɪ.zəm/ (noun): The geological processes associated with the movement of molten rock from within the Earth.
- Stromatolites /strəˈmæt.ə.laɪts/ (noun): Layered sedimentary formations created by the activities of microbial communities.
- Isotope /ˈaɪ.sə.toʊp/ (noun): Variants of a particular chemical element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
- Nutrients /ˈnjuː.tri.ənts/ (noun): Substances that provide nourishment essential for the maintenance of life and for growth.
- Oxidation /ˌɒk.sɪˈdeɪ.ʃən/ (noun): A chemical reaction in which a substance combines with oxygen or loses electrons.
- Sediments /ˈsɛd.ɪ.mənts/ (noun): Particulate matter that is carried by water or air and eventually settles down.
How much do you know?
