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}
}
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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TLDR
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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.
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Abstract Oxidized Fe minerals in Archean–Paleoproterozoic banded iron formations (BIFs) are commonly taken to indicate the presence of biogenic O 2 or photosynthetic Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria in the…
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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