Researchers returned to find evidence that will help uncover the life of the early Earth. This finding suggests that early in life are likely Earth is not yet contained oxygen. It is shown by the findings of fossilized bacteria are able to survive without oxygen.
The fossilized 2.52 billion years old bacteria were found in two separate locations in Kaapvaal Kraton, Limpopo Province, South Africa. This place is two remaining areas on Earth, where one can still see the rest of the 3.6-million-2.5 million years old Earth's crust.
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| A closeup of the fossilized Neoarchean bacteria, a 2.5 billion years old or much longer bacteria there than when oxygen is expected to begin fulfilling the Earth's atmosphere. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1gLZ7U) |
According to researchers, the fossils found in a layer of hard rock which rich with silica content is oxidize sulfur to survive. It shows that life on the Earth's early life can survive in low oxygen conditions.
"This is the oldest sulfur bacteria ever found. And this discovery helps us reveal the diversity of life and ecosystems that existed before the Great Oxidation Event," said Andrew Czaja, a professor of geology at the University of Cincinnati as quoted by New Atlas, on Thursday, December 1, 2016.
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| Professor Andrew Czaja shows the layer of rock where the bacteria were discovered. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1gLZ7U) |
Great Oxidation Event itself is a time when the population of blue-green algae cyanobacteria exploded. They dispose of the amount of oxygen in large quantities to build up the atmosphere for the first time.
The experts argue that this period is a period of the first time the Earth was 'breathing'. This period is predicted to occur between 2.5 billion to 2.2 billion years ago. And researchers believe before the Earth is filled with oxygen, the oceans are full of anaerobic bacteria, the bacteria that metabolize their food without oxygen or sunlight.
But the problem there is little evidence about the presence of this bacteria. Due to the lack of evidence of these creatures in the early history of the Earth, researchers can not explain how or when they first appeared.
The findings of these fossils now has given a clear indication that they were really there at least 2.52 billion years ago. While providing an overview of how simple life forms on the planet without the abundance of oxygen. And this study has been published in the journal Geology. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | NEW ATLAS]
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