Reconstruction of global redox transitions based on an evolving Precambrian biological carbon pump

Introduction

The history of life on Earth is intricately tied to the story of molecular oxygen (O2). Given that we breathe O2 every day, the quest to understand its rise over billions of years is inherently tied to the fundamental question of our existence. However, critical turning points in our planet’s oxygenation, including the Great Oxidation Event, continue to escape our full comprehension.

The Role of O2

O2’s narrative involves a complex interplay of microbial life, biogeochemical processes, and geological factors, all intricately woven into the carbon cycle. Within the web of transformations, a black hole persists: the Biological Carbon Pump (BCP).

Importance of the Biological Carbon Pump

The BCP is a crucial component of the Earth's carbon cycle, sequestering carbon from the atmosphere and transferring it to the ocean depths for burial over geological timescales. This burial process directly impacts global O2 levels, making the understanding of the ancient BCP crucial for unlocking Earth's oxygenation mysteries.

Challenges in Understanding the Ancient BCP

However, deciphering how the ancient BCP functioned is challenging. Insights from the modern BCP, which is predominantly shaped by complex life forms, offer limited guidance when it comes to understanding its ancient counterpart, which operated in a world ruled by microorganisms.

The RETRO-PUMP Project

RETRO-PUMP sets out to unveil the secrets of the Precambrian BCP by reconstructing an ancient and evolving BCP with the goal of unraveling its regulation of O2 levels.

Objectives of RETRO-PUMP

1. Challenge the conventional view of a less efficient Precambrian BCP.
2. Explore uncharted relationships between microbial carbon cycling and major O2 transitions.
3. Follow a simulated ocean pipeline, from the sunlit photic zone to the deep ocean.

Conclusion

Culminating in an integration of insights into a numerical framework, RETRO-PUMP tackles the drivers behind Earth’s oxygenation. The project has substantial implications for understanding how the interplay of biological and geological factors ultimately paved the way for the rise of complex life as we know it today.