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Science 10 May 2002:
Vol. 296. no. 5570, pp. 1066 - 1068
DOI: 10.1126/science.1071184
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Viewpoint
Life and the Evolution of Earth's Atmosphere
James F. Kasting,1*
Janet L. Siefert2
Harvesting light to produce energy and oxygen
(photosynthesis) is the signature of all land plants. This
ability was co-opted from a precocious and ancient form of life known
as cyanobacteria. Today these bacteria, as well as microscopic algae,
supply oxygen to the atmosphere and churn out fixed nitrogen in
Earth's vast oceans. Microorganisms may also have played a major role
in atmosphere evolution before the rise of oxygen. Under the more dim
light of a young sun cooler than today's, certain groups of anaerobic bacteria may have been pumping out large amounts of methane, thereby keeping the early climate warm and inviting. The evolution of Earth's
atmosphere is linked tightly to the evolution of its biota.
1 Department of Geosciences, 443 Deike, The
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
2 Department of Statistics, Rice University,
Houston, TX 77251-1892, USA.
*
To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
kasting{at}essc.psu.edu
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