Reconstructing Precambrian pCO2 and pO2 Using Paleosols (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781108819008)

Paleosols formed in direct contact with the Earth's atmosphere, so they can record the composition of the atmosphere through weathering processes and products. Herein we critically review a variety of different approaches for reconstructing atmospheric O2 and CO2 over the past three billion years. Paleosols indicate relatively low CO2 over that time, requiring additional greenhouse forcing to overcome the 'faint young Sun' paradox in the Archean and Mesoproterozoic, as well as low O2 levels until the Neoproterozoic. Emerging techniques will revise the history of Earth's atmosphere further and may provide a window into atmospheric evolution on other planets.

Author: Nathan D. Sheldon,Ria L. Mitchell,Rebecca M. Dzombak
ISBN-10: 1108819001
ISBN-13: 9781108819008
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Language: English
Published: 03/04/2021
Pages: 38
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.14lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.08d