Cited by 230Paleontology and Stratigraphy of FossilsOrigins and Evolution of LifeGeological and Geochemical Analysis

Phosphate oxygen isotopic evidence for a temperate and biologically active Archaean ocean

Blake, Ruth E., Chang, Sae Jung, Lepland, Aivo·2010·Nature

Abstract

Oxygen and silicon isotope compositions of cherts and studies of protein evolution have been interpreted to reflect ocean temperatures of 55-85 degrees C during the early Palaeoarchaean era ( approximately 3.5 billion years ago). A recent study combining oxygen and hydrogen isotope compositions of cherts, however, makes a case for Archaean ocean temperatures being no greater than 40 degrees C (ref. 5). Ocean temperature can also be assessed using the oxygen isotope composition of phosphate. Recent studies show that (18)O:(16)O ratios of dissolved inorganic phosphate (delta(18)O(P)) reflect ambient seawater temperature as well as biological processing that dominates marine phosphorus cycling at low temperature. All forms of life require and concentrate phosphorus, and as a result of biological processing, modern marine phosphates have delta(18)O(P) values typically between 19-26 per thousand (VSMOW), highly evolved from presumed source values of approximately 6-8 per thousand that are characteristic of apatite in igneous rocks and meteorites. Here we report oxygen isotope compositions of phosphates in sediments from the 3.2-3.5-billion-year-old Barberton Greenstone Belt in South Africa. We find that delta(18)O(P) values range from 9.3 per thousand to 19.9 per thousand and include the highest values reported for Archaean rocks. The temperatures calculated from our highest delta(18)O(P) values and assuming equilibrium with sea water with delta(18)O = 0 per thousand (ref. 12) range from 26 degrees C to 35 degrees C. The higher delta(18)O(P) values are similar to those of modern marine phosphate and suggest a well-developed phosphorus cycle and evolved biologic activity on the Archaean Earth.

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Crossref · 10.1038/nature08952

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  • O isotopes in Archean phosphates have produced 26° to 35°C upper limits.

    “Combined O and H isotope ratios have suggested surface temperatures <40°C (52), while O isotopes in Archean phosphates have produced 26° to 35°C upper limits (53).”

    From The Archean atmosphere (2020) · cites this paper as [53]

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Authors
Blake, R. E., Chang, S. J., & Lepland, A.
Affiliations
  • Yale University (US)
  • Tallinn University of Technology (EE)
Corresponding author
Blake, Ruth E.
Venue
Nature
Published
2010-04
Volume
464
Issue
7291
Pages
1029-1032
ISSN
  • 0028-0836 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-4687
OpenAlex
W1964399673
Cited by
230
References
39
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 19 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 20 · 2012: 11
FWCI
8.76
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Nature (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Paleontology › Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Origins and Evolution of Life
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Geophysics › Geological and Geochemical Analysis
Keywords
phosphate oxygen isotopes, Barberton Greenstone Belt, early life, marine phosphorus cycle, early Earth ocean chemistry, silicon isotopes, Precambrian sediments
MeSH terms
Africa, Southern, Apatites, Archaea, Marine Biology, Oceans and Seas, Oxygen Isotopes, Phosphates, Seawater, Silicon Dioxide, Temperature, Geologic Sediments, History, Ancient

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