The Archean atmosphere
David C. CatlingDepartment of Earth and Space Sciences and cross-campus Astrobiology Program, Box 351310, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USAKevin ZahnleSpace Sciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, MS 245-3, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
2020en
ABI
Abstract
times modern amounts, respectively. The greenhouse gas concentrations were sufficient to offset a fainter Sun. Climate moderation by the carbon cycle suggests average surface temperatures between 0° and 40°C, consistent with occasional glaciations. Isotopic mass fractionation of atmospheric xenon through the Archean until atmospheric oxygenation is best explained by drag of xenon ions by hydrogen escaping rapidly into space. These data imply that substantial loss of hydrogen oxidized the Earth. Despite these advances, detailed understanding of the coevolving solid Earth, biosphere, and atmosphere remains elusive, however.
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