Reconstructing Precambrian pCO2 and pO2 Using Paleosols

Fossil soils record the concentration of atmospheric oxygen and carbon dioxide, providing key insights to the evolution of Earth's surface.

Nathan D. Sheldon (Author), Ria L. Mitchell (Author), Rebecca M. Dzombak (Author)

9781108819008, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 4 March 2021

75 pages
15 x 23 x 0.3 cm, 0.59 kg

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.

1. Introduction
2. Materials/Methods
3. Discussion
4. Future Prospects
5. Conclusions.

Subject Areas: Meteorology & climatology [RBP], Oceanography [seas RBKC], Geochemistry [RBGK], Earth sciences [RB]