On the photosynthetic potential in the very Early Archean oceans

TL;DR

This paper uses a mathematical model to estimate the potential for photosynthetic life in Early Archean oceans, considering UV blockers like ferrous ions, and finds it could have been comparable to later eras.

Contribution

It introduces a quantitative model to assess early Earth's photosynthetic potential considering oceanic UV protection mechanisms.

Findings

Photosynthetic potential in Early Archean oceans could be similar to later periods.

Ferrous ions likely played a significant role in protecting early life from UV radiation.

Early Archean oceans may have supported substantial photosynthetic life.

Abstract

In this work we apply a mathematical model of photosynthesis to quantify the potential for photosynthetic life in the very Early Archean oceans. We assume the presence of oceanic blockers of ultraviolet radiation, specifically ferrous ions. For this scenario, our results suggest a potential for photosynthetic life greater than or similar to that in later eras/eons, such as the Late Archean and the current Phanerozoic eon.