Scientists have unveiled important information on The Great Oxidation Event by studying apatite inclusions in zircon crystals from old magmas (IMAGE)

European Synchrotron Radiation Facility

Scientists have unveiled important information on The Great Oxidation Event by studying apatite inclusions in zircon crystals from old magmas

Caption

Sulphur speciation in apatite inclusions in zircon acquired at the ESRF’s ID21 beamline. The spectrum of sulphur changed from reduced (S2-) to oxidised (S6+) from pre- to post- Great Oxidation Event. Authors argue that atmospherically-altered sediments infiltrated the mantle and changed the redox state of magmas.

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Hugo Moreira / Nature Geoscience

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