Geologic and Geochemical Constraints on Earth's Early Atmosphere

Nitrogen and argon isotopic signatures in graphite from the 3.8-Ga-old Isua Supracrustal Belt, Southern West Greenland

van Zuilen, M. A., Mathew, K. J., Wopenka, B., Lepland, A., Marti, K., & Arrhenius, G. (2005) · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta · doi:10.1016/j.gca.2004.08.033 · Cited by 57

Paleosols and Their Relevance to Precambrian Atmospheric Composition

Palmer, J. A., Phillips, G. N., & McCarthy, T. S. (1989) · The Journal of Geology · doi:10.1086/629282 · Cited by 57

Paleontology of Earth's Mantle

Sleep, N. H., Bird, D. K., & Pope, E. C. (2012) · Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences · doi:10.1146/annurev-earth-092611-090602 · Cited by 54

Geochemistry and mineralogy of the 2.45 Ga Pronto paleosols, Ontario, Canada

Nedachi, Y., Nedachi, M., Bennett, G., & Ohmoto, H. (2004) · Chemical Geology · doi:10.1016/j.chemgeo.2004.08.026 · Cited by 52

Initiation of ∼2.45-2.1 Ga intracratonic basin sedimentation of the Hurwitz Group, Keewatin Hinterland, Northwest territories, Canada

Aspler, L. B., & Chiarenzelli, J. R. (1997) · Precambrian Research · doi:10.1016/s0301-9268(96)00038-1 · Cited by 51

Uraninite-albite veins from the Mistamisk Valley of the Labrador Trough, Quebec

Kish, L., & Cuney, M. (1981) · Mineralogical Magazine · doi:10.1180/minmag.1981.044.336.13 · Cited by 51

Stable isotope (C, S, N) and molecular studies on the Precambrian nonesuch Shale (Wisconsin-Michigan, U.S.A.): Evidence for differential preservation rates, depositional environment and hydrothermal influence

Imbus, S. W., Macko, S. A., Elmore, R. D., & Engel, M. H. (1992) · Chemical Geology Isotope Geoscience section · doi:10.1016/0009-2541(92)90007-r · Cited by 51

δ18O values of mudrocks: More evidence for an 18O-buffered ocean

Land, L. S., & Lynch, F. L. (1996) · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta · doi:10.1016/0016-7037(96)00185-8 · Cited by 51

8. Stable Isotopes in Seafloor Hydrothermal Systems: Vent fluids, hydrothermal deposits, hydrothermal alteration, and microbial processes

Shanks, W. C. (2001) · De Gruyter eBooks · doi:10.1515/9781501508745-011 · Cited by 51

Evidence from early Proterozoic anhydrite for sulphur isotopic partitioning in Precambrian oceans

Cameron, E. M. (1983) · Nature · doi:10.1038/304054a0 · Cited by 50

Late Archean initiation of manganese metallogenesis: its significance and environmental controls

Roy, S. (2000) · Ore Geology Reviews · doi:10.1016/s0169-1368(00)00013-5 · Cited by 49

Isotopic evidence for Fe cycling and repartitioning in ancient oxygen-deficient settings: Examples from black shales of the mid-to-late Devonian Appalachian basin

Duan, Y., Severmann, S., Anbar, A. D., Lyons, T. W., Gordon, G. W., & Sageman, B. B. (2010) · Earth and Planetary Science Letters · doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2009.11.052 · Cited by 49

Earliest Life on Earth: Habitats, Environments and Methods of Detection

Golding, S., & Glikson, M. (2011) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-90-481-8794-2 · Cited by 48

ORIGIN OF NOBLE GASES IN THE TERRESTRIAL PLANETS

Pepin, R. O. (1992) · Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences · doi:10.1146/annurev.ea.20.050192.002133 · Cited by 48

Iron oxidation state of a 2.45-Byr-old paleosol developed on mafic volcanics

Utsunomiya, S., Murakami, T., Nakada, M., & Kasama, T. (2003) · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta · doi:10.1016/s0016-7037(02)01083-9 · Cited by 47

The effectiveness of the Paleoproterozoic biological pump: a δ13C gradient from platform carbonates of the Pethei Group (Great Slave Lake Supergroup, NWT)

Hotinski, R. M., Kump, L. R., & Arthur, M. A. (2004) · Geological Society of America Bulletin · doi:10.1130/b25272.1 · Cited by 46

12. Molybdenum Stable Isotopes: Observations, Interpretations and Directions

Anbar, A. D. (2004) · De Gruyter eBooks · doi:10.1515/9781501509360-016 · Cited by 46

Oxygen isotope mapping in the Panorama VMS district, Pilbara Craton, Western Australia: applications to estimating temperatures of alteration and to exploration

Brauhart, C. W., Huston, D. L., & Andrew, A. S. (2000) · Mineralium Deposita · doi:10.1007/s001260050275 · Cited by 43

A PROCESS-BASED APPROACH TO ESTIMATING THE COPPER DERIVED FROM RED BEDS IN THE SEDIMENT-HOSTED STRATIFORM COPPER DEPOSIT MODEL

Brown, A. C. (2009) · Economic Geology · doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.104.6.857 · Cited by 43

The Paleoproterozoic carbonate-hosted Pering Zn–Pb deposit, South Africa. II: fluid inclusion, fluid chemistry and stable isotope constraints

Huizenga, J. M., Gutzmer, J., Banks, D. A., & Greyling, L. N. (2005) · Mineralium Deposita · doi:10.1007/s00126-005-0015-9 · Cited by 42

Proterozoic redbed sequences of Canada

Chandler, F. W. (1980) · doi:10.4095/106239 · Cited by 42

U–Th–Pb–REE systematics of organic-rich shales from the ca. 2.15 Ga Sengoma Argillite Formation, Botswana: Evidence for oxidative continental weathering during the Great Oxidation Event

Pollack, G. D., Krogstad, E. J., & Bekker, A. (2008) · Chemical Geology · doi:10.1016/j.chemgeo.2008.10.038 · Cited by 41

Tungsten Isotopes, the Timing of Metal-Silicate Fractionation, and the Origin of the Earth and Moon

Halliday, A. N., Lee, D. C., & Jacobsen, S. B. (2000) · University of Arizona Press eBooks · doi:10.2307/j.ctv1v7zdrp.7 · Cited by 41

Earliest Seafloor Hydrothermal Systems on Earth: Comparison with Modern Analogues

Golding, S. D., Duck, L. J., Young, E., Baublys, K. A., Glikson, M., & Kamber, B. S. (2010) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-90-481-8794-2_2 · Cited by 40

Carbon and sulfur isotopes in Precambrian sediments from the Canadian Shield

Strauß, H. (1986) · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta · doi:10.1016/0016-7037(86)90216-4 · Cited by 40

Supergene alteration since the upper cretaceous on alkaline igneous and metasomatic rocks of the Poços de Caldas ring complex, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Valeton, I., Schumann, A., Vinx, R., & Wieneke, M. (1997) · Applied Geochemistry · doi:10.1016/s0883-2927(96)00060-1 · Cited by 39

The Age of the Earth as an Abode Fitted for Life. II

Kelvin (1899) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.9.229.704 · Cited by 39

Geochemistry of Archean–Paleoproterozoic Black Shales: The Early Evolution of the Atmosphere, Oceans, and Biosphere

Yamaguchi, K. E. (2002) · Cited by 39

Oxygen and hydrogen isotope ratios in cherts and related rocks

Knauth, L. P. (1973) · doi:10.7907/sh1s-je93 · Cited by 37

Nitrogen, argon and neon in the earth’s crust with applications to cosmology

Strutt, R. J. (1939) · Proceedings of the Royal Society of London A Mathematical and Physical Sciences · doi:10.1098/rspa.1939.0042 · Cited by 37

Stable isotope (δ13Ccarb and org, δ15Norg) and trace element anomalies during the Late Devonian ‘punctata Event’ in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin

Śliwiński, M. G., Whalen, M. T., Newberry, R. J., Payne, J. H., & Day, J. (2011) · Palaeogeography Palaeoclimatology Palaeoecology · doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2011.05.024 · Cited by 36

Carbonate sedimentation during the Archean

Cameron, E. M., & Baumann, A. (1972) · Chemical Geology · doi:10.1016/0009-2541(72)90074-5 · Cited by 36

Rare-Earth Element, Lead, Carbon, and Nitrogen Geochemistry of Apatite-Bearing Metasediments from the ∼3.8 Ga Isua Supracrustal Belt, West Greenland

Nishizawa, M., Takahata, N., Terada, K., Komiya, T., Ueno, Y., & Sano, Y. (2005) · International Geology Review · doi:10.2747/0020-6814.47.9.952 · Cited by 34

Can thin cirrus clouds in the tropics provide a solution to the faint young Sun paradox?

Rondanelli, R., & Lindzen, R. S. (2010) · Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres · doi:10.1029/2009jd012050 · Cited by 34

The Lower Proterozoic Hokkalampi Paleosol in North Karelia, Eastern Finland

Marmo, J. S. (1992) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-642-76884-2_5 · Cited by 34

Time constraint for the occurrence of uranium deposits and natural nuclear fission reactors in the Paleoproterozoic Franceville Basin (Gabon)

Gauthier-Lafaye, F. (2006) · Geological Society of America eBooks · doi:10.1130/2006.1198(09 · Cited by 34

The sedimentary setting of Witwatersrand placer mineral deposits in an Archean atmosphere

Minter, W. E. L. (2006) · Geological Society of America eBooks · doi:10.1130/2006.1198(06 · Cited by 34

Hydrothermal Sedimentary Rocks of the Heath Steele Belt,Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick Part 2. Bulk and Rare Earth Element Geochemistry and Implications for Origin *

Peter, J. M., Goodfellow, W. D., & Doherty, W. (2003) · doi:10.5382/mono.11.17 · Cited by 34

Neoarchaean ( c . 2.58 Ga) halite casts: implications for palaeoceanic chemistry

Eriksson, K. A., Simpson, E. L., Master, S., & Henry, G. (2005) · Journal of the Geological Society · doi:10.1144/0016-764904-120 · Cited by 33

Depositional and diagenetic C-S-Fe signatures in early Paleozoic normal marine shales

Raiswell, R., & Al-Biatty, H. J. (1989) · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta · doi:10.1016/0016-7037(89)90220-2 · Cited by 32

Chlorite and biotite weathering, Fe2+-rich corrensite formation, and Fe behavior under low PO2 conditions and their implication for Precambrian weathering

Sugimori, H., Iwatsuki, T., & Murakami, T. (2008) · American Mineralogist · doi:10.2138/am.2008.2663 · Cited by 32

The Terrestrial Abundance of the Permanent Gases

Russell, H. N., & Menzel, D. H. (1933) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.19.12.997 · Cited by 32

Geologic Evidence of Chemical Composition of the Precambrian Atmosphere

Rankama, K. (1955) · Geological Society of America eBooks · doi:10.1130/spe62-p651 · Cited by 31

Secular variations of N-isotopes in terrestrial reservoirs and ore deposits

Kerrich, R., Jia, Y., Manikyamba, C., & Naqvi, S. M. (2006) · Geological Society of America eBooks · doi:10.1130/2006.1198(05 · Cited by 30

Setting and sedimentary facies of late Proterozoic alkali lake (playa) deposits in the southern Damara belt of Namibia

Porada, H., & Behr, H.-J. (1988) · Sedimentary Geology · doi:10.1016/0037-0738(88)90068-1 · Cited by 29

9. Mass-Dependent Fractionation of Selenium and Chromium Isotopes in Low-Temperature Environments

Johnson, T. M., & Bullen, T. D. (2004) · De Gruyter eBooks · doi:10.1515/9781501509360-012 · Cited by 27

Theoretical investigation of the anomalous equilibrium fractionation of multiple sulfur isotopes during adsorption

Balan, E., Cartigny, P., Blanchard, M., Cabaret, D., Lazzeri, M., & Mauri, F. (2009) · Earth and Planetary Science Letters · doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2009.04.010 · Cited by 21

Rock salt mass in the Paleoproterozoic sequence of the Onega trough in Karelia (from the Onega parametric well data)

Morozov, A. F., Khakhaev, B. N., Petrov, O. V., Gorbachev, V. I., Tarkhanov, G. V., Tsvetkov, L. D., Erinchek, Y. M., Akhmedov, A. M., Krupenik, V., & Sveshnikova, K. Y. (2010) · Doklady Earth Sciences · doi:10.1134/s1028334x10110164 · Cited by 17

Carbonate Minerals in the Warrawoona Group, Pilbara Craton: Implications for Continental Crust, Life, and Global Carbon Cycle in the Early Archean

Nakamura, K., & Kato, Y. (2002) · Resource Geology · doi:10.1111/j.1751-3928.2002.tb00122.x · Cited by 16

Pre-Witwatersrand and Witwatersrand Conglomerates in South Africa: A Mineralogical Comparison and Bearings on the Genesis of Gold-Uranium Placers

Saager, R., Utter, T., & Meyer, M. (1982) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-642-68344-2_5 · Cited by 14

Geochemical and isotopic constraints on the origin of Paleoproterozoic red shales of the Gamagara/Mapedi Formation, Postmasburg Group, South Africa

Yamaguchi, K. E. (2006) · South African Journal of Geology · doi:10.2113/gssajg.109.1-2.123 · Cited by 13

Carbon Isotope Geochemistry of Archean Carbonaceous Horizons in the Timmins Area

Wellmer, F., Berner, U., Hufnagel, H., & Wehner, H. (1999) · doi:10.5382/mono.10.18 · Cited by 13

Sulphur-isotope and elemental geochemistry studies of the Hemlo gold mineralization, Ontario: sources of sulphur and implications for the mineralization process

Thode, H. G., Ding, T., & Crocket, J. H. (1991) · Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences · doi:10.1139/e91-002 · Cited by 13

Sulphur-isotope and elemental geochemistry studies of the Hemlo gold mineralization, Ontario: sources of sulphur and implications for the mineralization process: Reply

Thode, H. G., Ding, T., & Crocket, J. H. (1991) · Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences · doi:10.1139/e91-188 · Cited by 12

Paleoplacer uranium, gold

Roscoe, S. M. (1995) · doi:10.4095/207948 · Cited by 12

Geochemistry and petrogenesis of tholeiitic intrusions of possible Bushveld-age in the Vredefort Dome, South Africa

Coetzee, M. S., Beukes, G. J., de Bruiyn, H., & Bisschoff, A. A. (2006) · Journal of African Earth Sciences · doi:10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2006.03.001 · Cited by 10

V. On the absorption and radiation of heat by gaseous matter.—Second memoir

Tyndall, J. (1862) · Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London · doi:10.1098/rstl.1862.0008 · Cited by 9

Discovering the History of Atmospheric Oxygen

Holland, H. D. (2011) · Frontiers in Geochemistry · doi:10.1002/9781444329957.ch3 · Cited by 7

Ancient subduction recorded in the isotope characteristics of similar to 1.8 Ga Fennoscandian carbonatites

Torppa, O. A., & Karhu, J. A. (2007) · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta · Cited by 7

Erratum; Geology and geochemistry of Paleosols developed on the Hekpoort Basalt, Pretoria Group, South Africa

Rye, R. O. (2000) · American Journal of Science · doi:10.2475/ajs.300.4.344 · Cited by 6

A composite detrital grain from the Witwatersrand conglomerates (South Africa)

Schidlowski, M. (1967) · Journal of Sedimentary Research · doi:10.1306/74d7169f-2b21-11d7-8648000102c1865d · Cited by 5

The Accumulation of authigenic metals in marine sediments: Proxies for the Ocean’s carbon cycle

McManus, J., Poulson, R. L., & Berelson, W. M. (2006) · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta · doi:10.1016/j.gca.2006.06.834 · Cited by 4

Formation of rare earth phosphate minerals in 2.45-Ga paleosol

ICHIMURA, K., & Murakami, T. (2009) · Journal of Mineralogical and Petrological Sciences · doi:10.2465/jmps.081021d · Cited by 4

Reply to a Comment by D. R. Lowe on “Weathering of quartz as an Archean climatic indicator” by N. H. Sleep and A. M. Hessler

Hessler, A. M., & Sleep, N. H. (2006) · Earth and Planetary Science Letters · doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2006.11.005 · Cited by 4

The Pb Isotope Records of Archean and Proterozoic Shales Limit Early O-Rich Atmosphere

Krogstad, E. J. (2004) · AGUFM · Cited by 4

Sulfur isotope systematics of the Paleoproterozoic Bushy Park and Pering MVT deposits

Kim, S. T., Farquhar, J. D., Gutzmer, J., & Kesler, S. E. (2009) · GeCAS · Cited by 3

Sulfidic organic-rich shales in the Archean low-sulfate ocean: Evidence for transient oxygenated conditions, enhanced volcanism, or low sedimentation rates?

Bekker, A., Hofmann, A., Rumble, D., III, & Rouxel, O. J. (2008) · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta Supplement · Cited by 3

Low atmospheric pO 2 in the aftermath of the oldest Paleoproterozoic glaciation

Bekker, A., Ono, S., & Rumble, D., III (2005) · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta Supplement · Cited by 3

V. On the absorption and radiation of heat by gaseous and liquid matter.—Fourth memoir

Tyndall, J. (1864) · Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London · doi:10.1098/rstl.1864.0005 · Cited by 2

Mackinawite from the witwatersrand conglomerates

Schidlowski, M., & Ottemann, J. (1966) · American Mineralogist · Cited by 2

Copper Mineralization at the Shackleton Mine, Zimbabwe: Syngenetic or Epigenetic?

von Rahden, H. V. R., & de Wet, J. J. (1984) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-642-70074-3_19 · Cited by 1

Kinks and circuits

Sleep, N. H. (2004) · Nature · doi:10.1038/430151a · Cited by 1

The chemical evolution of precambrian seawater: REE and isotopic data

Derry, L. A., & Jacobsen, S. B. (1988) · Chemical Geology · doi:10.1016/0009-2541(88)90609-2 · Cited by 1

Middle Archean continent formation by crustal delamination

Zegers, T. E., & van Keken, P. E. (2001) · Geology · doi:10.1130/0091-7613(2001)029

Structure and composition of the Aleutian island arc and implications for continental crustal growth

Steven Holbrook, W., Lizarralde, D., McGeary, S., Bangs, N., & Diebold, J. (1999) · Geology · doi:10.1130/0091-7613(1999)027

Secular variation in seawater chemistry: An explanation for the coupled secular variation in the mineralogies of marine limestones and potash evaporites over the past 600 m.y.

Hardie, L. A. (1996) · Geology · doi:10.1130/0091-7613(1996)024

Kinetics of dolomitization

Sibley, D. F., Dedoes, R. E., & Bartlett, T. R. (1987) · Geology · doi:10.1130/0091-7613(1987)15

On the Origin and Rise of Oxygen Concentration in the Earth's Atmosphere

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New evidence for crustal accretion in the outer Mariana fore arc: Cretaceous radiolarian cherts and mid-ocean ridge basalt-like lavas

Johnson, L. E., Fryer, P., Taylor, B., Silk, M., Jones, D. L., Sliter, W. V., Itaya, T., & Ishii, T. (1991) · Geology · doi:10.1130/0091-7613(1991)019

Ediacarian sponge spicule clusters from southwestern Mongolia and the origins of the Cambrian fauna

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High rates of arc consumption by subduction processes: Some consequences

Lallemand, S. (1995) · Geology · doi:10.1130/0091-7613(1995)023

The Archean atmosphere

Catling, D. C., & Zahnle, K. J. (2020) · Science Advances · doi:10.1126/sciadv.aax1420 · Cited by 568

Origin and evolution of the atmospheres of early Venus, Earth and Mars

Lammer, H., Zerkle, A. L., Gebauer, S., Tosi, N., Noack, L., Scherf, M., Pilat-Lohinger, E., Güdel, M., Grenfell, J. L., Godolt, M., et al. (2018) · The Astronomy and Astrophysics Review · doi:10.1007/s00159-018-0108-y · Cited by 202

A statistical analysis of the carbon isotope record from the Archean to Phanerozoic and implications for the rise of oxygen

Krissansen-Totton, J., Buick, R., & Catling, D. C. (2015) · American Journal of Science · doi:10.2475/04.2015.01 · Cited by 180

The Great Oxidation Event preceded a Paleoproterozoic “snowball Earth”

Warke, M. R., Rocco, T. D., Zerkle, A. L., Lepland, A., Prave, A. R., Martin, A. P., Ueno, Y., Condon, D. J., & Claire, M. W. (2020) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.2003090117 · Cited by 165

Nitrogen isotope evidence for alkaline lakes on late Archean continents

Stüeken, E. E., Buick, R., & Schauer, A. J. (2014) · Earth and Planetary Science Letters · doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2014.11.037 · Cited by 162

Reply to a Comment by D. R. Lowe on “Weathering of quartz as an Archean climatic indicator” by N. H. Sleep and A. M. Hessler

Hessler, A. M., & Sleep, N. H. (2006) · Earth and Planetary Science Letters · doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2006.11.005 · Cited by 4

Revisiting the greatness of Earth’s great oxidation

Crockford, P. W., Sugiyama, I., Kipp, M. A., Hao, J., Nelson, L. L., Hemingway, J., Wimmer, S., & Fakhraee, M. (2026) · Communications Earth & Environment · doi:10.1038/s43247-026-03518-8 · Cited by 4

The Continuing Puzzle of the Great Oxidation Event

Sessions, A. L., Doughty, D. M., Welander, P. V., Summons, R. E., & Newman, D. K. (2009) · Current Biology · doi:10.1016/j.cub.2009.05.054 · Cited by 244

The Evolution of Atmospheric Composition: Why Earth is a Habitable Planet

Kasting, J. F. (2025) · Geochemical Perspectives · doi:10.7185/geochempersp.14.1 · Cited by 5

The Great Oxidation Event Transition

Catling, D. C. (2013) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-08-095975-7.01307-3 · Cited by 80