Did the Neoproterozoic Oxygenation Event Trigger the Snowball Earth?
Cui Yixin
Li Dongdong
Shen Bing
Gao Xiaopeng
Abstract：The initiation time,the duration and the magnitude of oxygen increase of the Neoproterozoic Oxygenation Event(NOE)are controversial.The sequence and causal relationship between the NOE and the Snowball Earth also need to be clarified.This review analyzes previous studies of fossils,geochemical data and models in the Tonian,suggesting a hypothesis of possible linkages between the NOE and the Snowball Earth.The NOE may have occurred earlier than the Snowball Earth,and the end of Snowball Earth further promoted an increase of oxygen content.Specifically,eukaryotic algae were widely present during the Tonian and constructed a basis for high productivity.Rifting of the Rodinia supercontinent triggered intense continental weathering,leading to a large amount of nutrients such as phosphorus into seawater.Consequently,enhanced primary production elevated the burial of organic matter,and sufficient oxygen was released to the ocean and atmosphere,indicating the onset of the oxygenation event.On the other hand,abundant O2 and intense continental weathering consumed greenhouse gases such as CH4 and CO2,causing a decrease of temperature and driving the Snowball Earth.During the interglacial and postglacial periods of the Snowball Earth,glacier melting caused strong physical weathering and enhanced nutrient supply,improving organic carbon burial and O2 level.To clarify the interactions between the NOE and the Snowball Earth,it is necessary to further study chronology,paleontology and geochemistry of the Tonian in the future.
Keywords：NeoproterozoicOxygenation EventSnowball Earthco-evolutionRodinia supercontinentgeochemistry
Publication Date：2025-07-30
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：20( 2791-2810 )