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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

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