Citation
The rise of oxygen in Earth's early ocean and atmosphere
TL;DR
Oxygen accumulation began ~2.4 billion years ago, transforming Earth's chemistry
Comprehensive review of the Great Oxygenation Event - the most consequential niche construction in Earth's history. Cyanobacteria's oxygen production transformed planetary chemistry, caused mass extinction of anaerobic life, and enabled aerobic metabolism that powers complex life. Demonstrates how niche construction can have planet-scale consequences and how 'waste' products can fundamentally reshape evolutionary possibility.
Key Findings from Lyons et al. (2014)
- Oxygen accumulation began ~2.4 billion years ago, transforming Earth's chemistry
- The oxygenation caused mass extinction of anaerobic organisms
- Aerobic respiration is 16 times more efficient than anaerobic, enabling complex life