Abstract
The objective of the proposed work is to move forward our understanding of the evolutionary adaptations of early life to the increasing atmospheric oxygen concentration. Our aim is to characterize the evolving biosphere and the changing environments across the 2.45 to 2.32 Ga old Great Oxidation Event and the ~0.8 to 0.54 Ga old Neoproterozoic Oxidation Event. To achieve this goal, we will use available drill cores and obtain pristine drill cores of key sedimentary successions from Brazil and Uruguay and develop new means to image and analyze chemical (major and trace elements) and isotope proxies (S, C, N, Fe, Mo, Cr) on the same samples at multiple scales (from the microfossil-scale to the sedimentary basin level) and degree of thermal overprint (from lower greenschist to amphibolite facies metamorphic conditions). The strong focus on linking multiple scales of observations, sedimentary and metamorphic history, and the use of state-of-the-art imaging and isotopic techniques makes the proposed work the first of its kind - and guarantees new insights into the history of life and oxygen on early Earth. This proposal will build upon previous and ongoing expertise of the applicants, who have been developing similar type of study in Australia during the last decade. Hence, this proposal represents a unique opportunity for Late Archean and Proterozoic paleoenvironmental and bio-geochemical reconstructions between South America and Australia. It will also be a large step forward in establishing leadership in imaging at hierarchical length-scales and analysis of bio-geochemical proxies in ancient settings. (AU)
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