1932

Abstract

Theoretical calculations, based on both the chemical and isotopic composition of sedimentary rocks, indicate that atmospheric O has varied appreciably over Phanerozoic time, with a notable excursion during the Permo-Carboniferous reaching levels as high as 35% O. This agrees with measurements of the carbon isotopic composition of fossil plants together with experiments and calculations on the effect of O on photosynthetic carbon isotope fractionation. The principal cause of the excursion was the rise of large vascular land plants and the consequent increased global burial of organic matter. Higher levels of O are consistent with the presence of Permo-Carboniferous giant insects, and preliminary experiments indicate that insect body size can increase with elevated O. Higher O also may have caused more extensive, possibly catastrophic, wildfires. To check this, realistic burning experiments are needed to examine the effects of elevated O on fire behavior.

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/content/journals/10.1146/annurev.earth.31.100901.141329
2003-05-01
2024-03-28
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  • Article Type: Review Article
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