Methane-rich Proterozoic atmosphere?

Research Article| January 01, 2003 Methane-rich Proterozoic atmosphere? Alexander A. Pavlov; Alexander A. Pavlov 1Center for Astrobiology, Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado, 392 UCB, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0392, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Matthew T. Hurtgen; Matthew T. Hurtgen 2Astrobiology Research Center, Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar James F. Kasting; James F. Kasting 2Astrobiology Research Center, Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Michael A. Arthur Michael A. Arthur 2Astrobiology Research Center, Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Alexander A. Pavlov 1Center for Astrobiology, Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado, 392 UCB, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0392, USA Matthew T. Hurtgen 2Astrobiology Research Center, Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA James F. Kasting 2Astrobiology Research Center, Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA Michael A. Arthur 2Astrobiology Research Center, Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 19 Jul 2002 Revision Received: 17 Sep 2002 Accepted: 23 Sep 2002 First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (2003) 31 (1): 87–90. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2003)031<0087:MRPA>2.0.CO;2 Article history Received: 19 Jul 2002 Revision Received: 17 Sep 2002 Accepted: 23 Sep 2002 First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Alexander A. Pavlov, Matthew T. Hurtgen, James F. Kasting, Michael A. Arthur; Methane-rich Proterozoic atmosphere?. Geology 2003;; 31 (1): 87–90. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2003)031<0087:MRPA>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Methane mixing ratios of 100–300 ppm in the Proterozoic atmosphere (0.75–2.3 Ga) would have been sufficient to offset the climatic effects of the faint early sun and maintain the warm climate during those ∼1.5 b.y. The major argument against this type of the atmosphere is the short atmospheric oxidation time of methane after the first oxygenation event ca. 2.3 Ga. Here we argue that the net methane flux from the oxygen-poor Pro tero zo ic ocean could have been 10–20 times higher than the present total biological methane flux. We demonstrate that increased methane production would have been sufficient to maintain methane concentrations at 100–300 ppm, which would keep the surface warm throughout the Proterozoic without invoking high CO2 levels (although the CO2 abundance could have been higher as well). A second oxygenation event at the end of the Proterozoic would have resulted in a decrease of methane flux and could have caused the first Neoproterozoic "snowball" glaciation. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.