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Earth's early biosphere.

D J Des Marais¹

¹Space Science Division, Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, USA.

Gravitational and Space Biology Bulletin : Publication of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Biology

|September 7, 2001

Summary

Early Earth

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Geobiology·2014

Area of Science:

Astrobiology
Early Earth Science
Evolutionary Biology

Background:

Life arose on Earth very early, before 3.8 billion years ago.
The early biosphere was unicellular, dominated by hyperthermophiles using chemical energy and diverse CO2 assimilation pathways.
Photosynthesis emerged early, with oxygenic photosynthesis appearing before 2.7 billion years ago.

Purpose of the Study:

To understand Earth's early biosphere to inform the search for extraterrestrial life.
To trace the evolutionary trajectory from early life to the modern biosphere.

Main Methods:

Analysis of geological and fossil evidence for early life.
Reconstruction of early metabolic pathways and environmental conditions.

Main Results:

The early biosphere predates 3.8 Ga, consisting of unicellular hyperthermophiles.
Photosynthesis evolved early; oxygenic photosynthesis arose before 2.7 Ga.
Declining volcanic activity led to increased atmospheric oxygen, enabling aerobic life and eukaryotes.

Conclusions:

Earth's early biosphere provides a model for potential life on other rocky planets.
The evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis and aerobic respiration fundamentally shaped the global environment and led to complex life.

Keywords:

NASA Center ARC NASA Discipline Exobiology

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