Palaeoclimatology: Archaean atmosphere and climate.
Ohmoto et al. argue that carbon dioxide was abundant in the late Archaean and early Proterozoic atmosphere and that methane was probably scarce, based on a reanalysis of the occurrence of siderite, FeCO3, in ancient rocks. Here I consider several factors that may undermine their conclusions.
Kasting
James F
JF
Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16801, USA. kasting@geosc.psu.edu
D001272:Atmosphere / Q000737:chemistry*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis; D002254:Carbonates / Q000032:analysis; D002980:Climate; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D049690:History, Ancient; D008697:Methane / Q000032:analysis; D010100:Oxygen / Q000032:analysis; D010313:Partial Pressure; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
D002254:Carbonates; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; C486982:siderite; D008697:Methane; D010100:Oxygen