Evidence of oceanic ‘green rust’ offers hope for the future
(June 28, 2012) A rare kind of mineral which scientists hope could be used
to remove toxic metals and radioactive species from the environment played a
similar, crucial role early in Earth’s history.
Research carried out by an international team of leading
biogeochemists suggests for the first time that ‘green rust’ was likely
widespread in ancient oceans and may have played a vital role in the creation
of our early atmosphere.
Led by Newcastle University, UK, the study shows that during
the Precambrian period, green rust ‘scavenged’ heavy metals such as nickel out
of the water. Nickel availability is linked to the production of methane by
anaerobic organisms, which is a major sink for oxygen produced during
photosynthesis, and thus green rust played a crucial role in the oxygenation of
the Earth’s atmosphere.