Precambrian solution photochemistry, inverse segregation, and banded iron formations

@article{Cairnssmith1978PrecambrianSP,
  title={Precambrian solution photochemistry, inverse segregation, and banded iron formations},
  author={A. G. Cairns-smith},
  journal={Nature},
  year={1978},
  volume={276},
  pages={807-808}
}
  • A. Cairns-smith
  • Published 1 December 1978
  • Geology, Environmental Science
  • Nature
SOLAR radiation on an early Precambrian sea would generate short-lived excited species near the surface of the water. Many of the species would be powerful oxidising or reducing agents. Despite back-reactions, net reducing power would be lost to the atmosphere. This effect would be the opposite of present day photosynthesis and can be termed ‘inverse segregation’. Its possible relevance to banded iron formation is discussed here. 
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Methods Citations
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Abiotic photosynthesis from ferrous carbonate (siderite) and water
Photoemission and solvation of electrons from iron (II) ion in aqueous solution has been shown to lead to reduction of water to hydrogen (Cairns-Smith, 1981; Braterman et al., 1983). In the presence…
Role of Microorganisms in Banded Iron Formations
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Suboxic diagenesis in banded iron formations
TLDR
The electron acceptor that permits oxidation in the absence of free oxygen is presumed to be iron(III) which may have been significantly more abundant in the initial chemical precipitate than in the post-diagenetic sedimentary rock.
Anoxic photochemical oxidation of siderite generates molecular hydrogen and iron oxides
TLDR
It is proposed that the photochemistry of Earth-abundant minerals with wide band gaps would have potentially played a critical role in shaping the biogeochemical evolution of early Earth.
Decoupling photochemical Fe(II) oxidation from shallow-water BIF deposition
Photo-oxidation of hydrated Fe2+—significance for banded iron formations
The Precambrian banded iron formations (BIFs) are the major iron ore sources on the Earth. They consist of extensive iron-rich and iron-poor layers within siliceous sedimentary rocks1,2. The banding…
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References

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