Publications by authors named "Colin Mettam"
Article Synopsis
- The rise of oxygen on Earth around 2.4 billion years ago sparked significant changes in marine nutrient cycles, particularly nitrogen, which affects global productivity.
- Researchers used ancient South African rock records to analyze nitrogen isotopes and redox chemistry from around 2.31 billion years ago, filling a crucial gap in understanding nitrogen cycling during the Great Oxidation Event.
- Findings indicate that with increased oxygen levels, a widespread aerobic nitrogen cycle emerged, facilitating the growth of nitrate-using organisms like cyanobacteria and eukaryotic phytoplankton, which likely played a role in marine biodiversity.
