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Science 5 March 1999:
Vol. 283. no. 5407, pp. 1519 - 1522
DOI: 10.1126/science.283.5407.1519
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Reports
Evolution of the Continents and the Atmosphere Inferred from Th-U-Nb Systematics of the Depleted Mantle
Kenneth D. Collerson,
*
Balz S. Kamber
Temporal evolution of depleted mantle thorium-uranium-niobium
systematics constrain the amount of continental crust present through
Earth's history (through the niobium/thorium ratio) and date formation
of a globally oxidizing atmosphere and hydrosphere at approximately 2.0 billion years ago (through the niobium/uranium ratio). Increase in the
niobium/thorium ratio shows involvement of hydrated lithosphere in
differentiation of Earth since approximately 3.8 billion years ago.
After approximately 2.0 billion years ago, the decreasing mantle
thorium/uranium ratio portrays mainly preferential recycling of uranium
in an oxidizing atmosphere and hydrosphere. Net growth rate of
continental crust has varied over time, and continents are still
growing today.
Department of Earth Sciences, The University of Queensland,
Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia. Both authors contributed equally to this
publication.
*
To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
k.collerson{at}mailbox.uq.edu.au
Read the Full Text
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