Contents
Oceans Were Once Green: Stunning Discovery Reveals Earth’s Ancient Hue
A new study suggests that Earth’s oceans were bathed in green light around 2.4 billion years ago, shedding light on how early life evolved in such an environment.
Lead:
Professor CV Raman’s groundbreaking work on the origin of ocean’s blue color has long been regarded as a monumental achievement. However, a recent study has revealed a fascinating twist – the oceans on Earth were not always blue. Billions of years ago, they may have glowed with a different hue, specifically green.
Scientists Uncover Ocean’s Ancient Green Hue
The study, published in the journal Nature Economy & Evolution, used numerical simulations to reconstruct the underwater light environment of early Earth. Researchers found that high levels of iron in the oceans, specifically oxidised iron particles known as Fe(III), filtered out much of the red and blue light, leaving green as the dominant color that penetrated the water.
• The study suggests that Earth’s oceans were likely bathed in green light around 2.4 billion years ago.
• High levels of iron in the oceans filtered out much of the red and blue light, leaving green as the dominant color.
• Cyanobacteria evolved a special type of light-harvesting system using pigments called phycobilins to absorb green light effectively.
The Evolution of Cyanobacteria
To survive in this green light, cyanobacteria evolved a special type of light-harvesting system using pigments called phycobilins, which allowed them to absorb green light effectively. These pigments formed structures called phycobilisomes, acting like solar panels optimized for green wavelengths.
• The common ancestor of all modern cyanobacteria likely had this green-light adaptation, giving it an evolutionary edge in early Earth’s unique conditions.
• Researchers genetically engineered modern cyanobacteria to use a green-absorbing pigment called phycoerythrobilin and found that the modified microbes grew better under green light.
Cyanobacteria’s Role in Shaping Earth’s Environment
The study highlights a fascinating co-evolution: as cyanobacteria shaped the planet’s atmosphere with oxygen, the planet’s green oceans in turn shaped the way cyanobacteria harvested light. The study offers a new way to think about early life – not just as adapting to its environment, but also helping to create it.
Conclusion:
The discovery of Earth’s ancient green oceans offers a glimpse into the planet’s early origins and the evolution of life on our planet. The study’s findings highlight the intricate relationship between cyanobacteria, light, and the Earth’s environment, providing a new perspective on the earliest stages of life’s development.
Keywords: green oceans, Earth’s history, cyanobacteria, iron, light-harvesting, evolution, early life, oxygen
Hashtags: #Earth #Ocean #Cyanobacteria #Evolution #EarlyLife #GreenOceans #ScientificDiscovery
Source link
