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A window into transition metal availability in early palaeoproterozoic seawater
Ansahmbom Y Nke1, Rosalind E M Rickaby2, Harilaos Tsikos3
1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa.
Ancient seawater chemistry differed significantly from today, with high manganese and iron concentrations. This metal availability likely influenced early microbial evolution and metalloprotein development.
Area of Science:
- Geochemistry
- Paleobiology
- Early Earth conditions
Background:
- All life requires metals for metalloprotein synthesis.
- Metal availability in anoxic seawater has changed dramatically over geological time.
- Reconstructing ancient seawater chemistry from bulk rock is difficult.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the transition metal content of ancient seawater.
- To provide a high-resolution snapshot of seawater chemistry around 2.46 billion years ago.
- To compare ancient metal concentrations with modern seawater and geochemical predictions.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of transition metal content in greenalite, a primary Fe(II)-silicate mineral.
- Utilizing micron-scale laths of greenalite from the Kuruman Formation, South Africa.
- High-resolution geochemical analysis of ancient mineral samples.
Main Results:
- Zinc (Zn) and Vanadium (V) were scarce in ancient seawater.
- Nickel (Ni) concentrations were similar to modern levels.
- Cobalt (Co) was enriched, and Manganese (Mn) was highly enriched.
- Iron (Fe) and Manganese (Mn) dominated ancient seawater composition.
Conclusions:
- Ancient seawater chemistry was significantly different from today, characterized by high Fe and Mn.
- Early life likely utilized Fe and Mn, consistent with their abundance.
- Extremely high Mn concentrations may have impacted cellular processes and driven evolutionary rates.
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