[ Great Oxygenation Event, GOE[ Great Oxygenation Event, GOE ] A biological event that precipitated the appearance of free oxygen (O2) in Earth's atmosphere, about 2.3 billion years ago. Cyanobacteria, the first organisms capable of photosynthesis, appeared 200 million years before the GOE but the oxygen they produced was captured by dissolved iron and other oxygen sinks. The GOE was the point at which More ]
A biological event that precipitated the appearance of free oxygen (O2) in Earth’s atmosphere, about 2.3 billion years ago.
Cyanobacteria[ Cyanobacteria ] Prokaryotes, related to bacteria, that were among the early life forms on the earth. They were the first capable of photosynthesis, making them possible prototypes of algae and plants. They are believed to be responsible for the Great Oxygenation Event. Cyanobacteria get their name from their blue-green colour (cyan). More, the first organisms capable of photosynthesis[ Photosynthesis ] A chemical process by organisms such as green plants and cyanobacteria use light energy to produce chemical energy. That chemical energy is in the form of carbohydrates, which can be used as structural material or stored for later used as fuel. In plants, photosynthesis uses carbon dioxide, water and light energy to produce sugar and oxygen. More, appeared 200 million years before the GOE but the oxygen they produced was captured by dissolved iron and other oxygen sinks. The GOE was the point at which these oxygen sinks became saturated and free oxygen began accumulating in the atmosphere.
The GOE may have wiped out most of the Earth’s anaerobic[ Anaerobic ] In the absence of oxygen, or otherwise the capability or requirement of the presence of oxygen. Opposite of Aerobic. More inhabitants at the time due to oxygen toxicity[ Toxicity ] The degree to which a substance can cause damage to a living organism or its substructures. Toxicity is dependent on dosage, in relation to the species. More. Additionally, the GOE may have triggered the longest ice age in the earth’s history, as free oxygen reacted with atmospheric methane, reducing the greenhouse effects of methane. Eventually, aerobic[ Aerobic ] In the presence of oxygen, or otherwise the capability or requirement of the presence of oxygen. Opposite of Anaerobic. More organism evolved and consumed oxygen, bring us to the current equilibrium between oxygen availability and utilisation.
