In a recent study published in the journal Science, researchers have found that the Earth’s atmosphere is gradually losing oxygen. The study, led by Roger Buick from the University of Washington, used data from ancient rocks to track changes in the Earth’s atmosphere over the past few billion years.
The researchers found that oxygen levels in the Earth’s atmosphere have been decreasing over time, with the overall decrease being around 0.7% every million years. This gradual loss of oxygen has been attributed to a number of factors, including the chemical weathering of rocks and the burial of organic matter.
The team analyzed samples of ancient rocks from around the world, dating back billions of years. By studying the chemical composition of these rocks, they were able to reconstruct the history of the Earth’s atmosphere and track changes in oxygen levels over time.
The study also found that the Earth’s atmosphere experienced a significant boost in oxygen levels around 2.4 billion years ago, which is known as the Great Oxidation Event. This event is believed to have been caused by the evolution of photosynthetic bacteria, which released oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis.
Overall, the study sheds new light on the long-term evolution of the Earth’s atmosphere and provides valuable insights into how oxygen levels have changed over billions of years. The researchers hope that their findings will help to improve our understanding of the processes that shape the Earth’s atmosphere and how it has evolved over time.
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