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Constraining the Time Interval for the Origin of Life on Earth
Ben K D Pearce1, Andrew S Tupper1, Ralph E Pudritz1
1Origins Institute, Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University , Hamilton, Canada .
Astrobiology
|March 24, 2018
Summary
Life on Earth may have emerged between 4.5 and 3.9 billion years ago, with clear evidence found around 3.7 billion years ago. This study reviews habitability and biosignature boundaries to estimate life's origin.
Area of Science:
- Astrobiology and Geochemistry
- Focuses on the origin of life and early Earth conditions.
Background:
- Estimating life's origin requires understanding Earth's habitability and biosignatures.
- Astrophysical and geophysical data inform the habitability boundary, while geological samples provide biosignatures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and summarize current data on the timings of Earth's habitability and biosignature boundaries.
- To estimate the interval during which life emerged on early Earth.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing astrophysical and geophysical data to determine the habitability boundary.
- Analyzing geological biosignatures (microfossils, stromatolites, isotope ratios) for the biosignature boundary.
- Incorporating molecular phylogenetics and atmospheric oxygen records.
Main Results:
- The habitability boundary is estimated between 4.5 and 3.9 billion years ago (Ga).
- The biosignature boundary is constrained to approximately 3.7 Ga, based on carbon isotopes and stromatolites.
- The time for life to emerge falls between 200 and 800 million years (Myr).
Conclusions:
- Life must have emerged between the established habitability and biosignature boundaries.
- Uncertainty in the late heavy bombardment period impacts habitability boundary estimates.
- Current evidence suggests life arose relatively early in Earth's history, within the first billion years.
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