Cited by 261Paleontology and Stratigraphy of FossilsGeology and Paleoclimatology ResearchEarth Systems and Cosmic Evolution

Phanerozoic Atmospheric Oxygen

Berner, Robert A., Beerling, David J., Dudley, Robert, Robinson, Jennifer M., Wildman, Richard A.·2003·Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences

Abstract

▪ Abstract Theoretical calculations, based on both the chemical and isotopic composition of sedimentary rocks, indicate that atmospheric O 2 has varied appreciably over Phanerozoic time, with a notable excursion during the Permo-Carboniferous reaching levels as high as 35% O 2. This agrees with measurements of the carbon isotopic composition of fossil plants together with experiments and calculations on the effect of O 2 on photosynthetic carbon isotope fractionation. The principal cause of the excursion was the rise of large vascular land plants and the consequent increased global burial of organic matter. Higher levels of O 2 are consistent with the presence of Permo-Carboniferous giant insects, and preliminary experiments indicate that insect body size can increase with elevated O 2. Higher O 2 also may have caused more extensive, possibly catastrophic, wildfires. To check this, realistic burning experiments are needed to examine the effects of elevated O 2 on fire behavior.

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Crossref · 10.1146/annurev.earth.31.100901.141329

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133 of 133 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • The Phanerozoic Earth range was determined by varying initial oxygen mixing ratios from 0.1 to 0.3, the range inferred for the Phanerozoic.

    “the Phanerozoic Earth range was determined by using the abundances from (25) but varying initial oxygen mixing ratios from 0.1 to 0.3, which is the range inferred for the Phanerozoic (30).”

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Authors
Berner, R. A., Beerling, D. J., Dudley, R., Robinson, J. M., & Wildman, R. A.
Affiliations
  • Yale University (US)
  • University of Sheffield (GB)
  • The University of Texas at Austin (US)
  • Murdoch University (AU)
Venue
Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences
Published
2003-05
Volume
31
Issue
1
Pages
105-134
ISSN
  • 0084-6597 (ISSN-L)
  • 1545-4495
OpenAlex
W2157742709
Cited by
261
References
133
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 12
FWCI
1.59
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences (publishedVersion)
  • Murdoch University Research Portal (submittedVersion)
Funders
Royal Society
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Paleontology › Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Atmospheric Science › Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Atmospheric Science › Earth Systems and Cosmic Evolution
Keywords
atmospheric oxygen, Phanerozoic, Permo-Carboniferous, carbon isotopes, fossil plants, organic matter burial, giant insects, insect body size, forest fires, fire behavior, paleoatmosphere

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