Cited by 653Paleontology and Stratigraphy of FossilsGeological and Geochemical AnalysisGeochemistry and Elemental Analysis

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 37 of the 37 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Fluctuations in Precambrian atmospheric oxygenation recorded by chromium isotopes

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Frei, Robert, Gaucher, Claudio, Poulton, Simon W., Canfield, Don E.·2009·Nature

Abstract

Geochemical data suggest that oxygenation of the Earth's atmosphere occurred in two broad steps. The first rise in atmospheric oxygen is thought to have occurred between approximately 2.45 and 2.2 Gyr ago, leading to a significant increase in atmospheric oxygen concentrations and concomitant oxygenation of the shallow surface ocean. The second increase in atmospheric oxygen appears to have taken place in distinct stages during the late Neoproterozoic era ( approximately 800-542 Myr ago), ultimately leading to oxygenation of the deep ocean approximately 580 Myr ago, but details of the evolution of atmospheric oxygenation remain uncertain. Here we use chromium (Cr) stable isotopes from banded iron formations (BIFs) to track the presence of Cr(VI) in Precambrian oceans, providing a time-resolved picture of the oxygenation history of the Earth's atmosphere-hydrosphere system. The geochemical behaviour of Cr is highly sensitive to the redox state of the surface environment because oxidative weathering processes produce the oxidized hexavalent [Cr(VI)] form. Oxidation of reduced trivalent [Cr(III)] chromium on land is accompanied by an isotopic fractionation, leading to enrichment of the mobile hexavalent form in the heavier isotope. Our fractionated Cr isotope data indicate the accumulation of Cr(VI) in ocean surface waters approximately 2.8 to 2.6 Gyr ago and a likely transient elevation in atmospheric and surface ocean oxygenation before the first great rise of oxygen 2.45-2.2 Gyr ago (the Great Oxidation Event). In approximately 1.88-Gyr-old BIFs we find that Cr isotopes are not fractionated, indicating a decline in atmospheric oxygen. Our findings suggest that the Great Oxidation Event did not lead to a unidirectional stepwise increase in atmospheric oxygen. In the late Neoproterozoic, we observe strong positive fractionations in Cr isotopes (delta(53)Cr up to +4.9 per thousand), providing independent support for increased surface oxygenation at that time, which may have stimulated rapid evolution of macroscopic multicellular life.

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Crossref · 10.1038/nature08266

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Metadata

Authors
Frei, R., Gaucher, C., Poulton, S. W., & Canfield, D. E.
Affiliations
  • University of Copenhagen (DK)
  • Newcastle University (GB)
Corresponding author
Frei, Robert
Venue
Nature
Published
2009-09
Volume
461
Issue
7261
Pages
250-253
ISSN
  • 0028-0836 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-4687
OpenAlex
W2060563278
Cited by
653
References
37
Citations by year
2026: 17 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 32 · 2023: 35 · 2022: 37 · 2021: 59 · 2020: 32 · 2019: 46 · 2018: 63 · 2017: 47 · 2016: 47 · 2015: 47 · 2014: 35 · 2013: 43 · 2012: 31
FWCI
23.70
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • Research at the University of Copenhagen (University of Copenhagen) (submittedVersion)
  • University of Southern Denmark Research Portal (University of Southern Denmark) (submittedVersion)
  • Newcastle University ePrints (Newcastle Univesity)
Funders
Danmarks Grundforskningsfond
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Paleontology › Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Geochemistry and Petrology › Geological and Geochemical Analysis
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Geochemistry and Petrology › Geochemistry and Elemental Analysis
Keywords
Great Oxidation Event, chromium isotopes, banded iron formations, hexavalent chromium, oxidative weathering, Precambrian oceans, iron oxide, Precambrian
MeSH terms
Animals, Atmosphere, Chromium, Chromium Isotopes, Iron, Oceans and Seas, Oxidation-Reduction, Oxides, Oxygen, Seawater, Manganese Compounds, Biodiversity, History, Ancient

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