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Photosynthesis in the Archean era.

¹Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 913 Lederle GRT Tower-B, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003-9305, USA. JMO@biochem.umass.edu

Photosynthesis Research

|February 3, 2006

Summary

Early photosynthesis likely used hydrogen (H2) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) as reductants before oxygenic photosynthesis evolved. Evidence suggests H2-driven photosynthesis at 3.8 billion years ago, with sulfur-driven photosynthesis appearing later.

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Area of Science:

Astrobiology
Geochemistry
Paleontology

Background:

The earliest forms of photosynthesis on Earth are debated, with various reductants proposed.
Understanding the evolution of photosynthesis is key to understanding early life and atmospheric evolution.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the earliest reductants used in photosynthesis.
To reconstruct the timeline of photosynthetic evolution and its impact on Earth's atmosphere.

Main Methods:

Analysis of carbon isotope composition in ancient graphite (3.8 Ga Isua Supercrustal Belt, Greenland).
Examination of geological evidence such as filamentous mats, evaporites, stromatolites, and microfossils in ancient rock formations (3.4-3.5 Ga Buck Reef Chert and Warrawoona Megasequence).
Biomarker analysis indicating the presence of chlorophyll a in cyanobacteria.

Main Results:

Carbon isotope data suggests H2-driven anoxygenic photosynthesis at 3.8 Ga.
Sulfur-driven photosynthesis is indicated by geological features around 3.5 Ga.
Oxygenic photosynthesis by cyanobacteria appeared by 2.8 Ga, but atmospheric oxygen increase was delayed until 2.3 Ga.

Conclusions:

Hydrogen (H2) was likely the earliest reductant for photosynthesis.
The evolution of photosynthesis progressed from H2 and H2S to ferrous iron and eventually oxygen.
The rise of atmospheric oxygen was a gradual process, occurring significantly after the evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis.

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