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  3. Reconstructing Precambrian pCO2 and pO2 Using Paleosols
  • Cited by 11
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Online publication date:
February 2021
Print publication year:
2021
Online ISBN:
9781108870962
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108870962
Subjects:
Earth and Environmental Sciences, Geochemistry and Environmental Chemistry, Climatology and Climate Change
Series:
Elements in Geochemical Tracers in Earth System Science
Information

Book description

Paleosols formed in direct contact with the Earth's atmosphere, so they can record the composition of the atmosphere through weathering processes and products. Herein we critically review a variety of different approaches for reconstructing atmospheric O2 and CO2 over the past three billion years. Paleosols indicate relatively low CO2 over that time, requiring additional greenhouse forcing to overcome the 'faint young Sun' paradox in the Archean and Mesoproterozoic, as well as low O2 levels until the Neoproterozoic. Emerging techniques will revise the history of Earth's atmosphere further and may provide a window into atmospheric evolution on other planets.

References

References

Key References (10 important papers)

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Additional References

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