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Surface Enviroments, Biological Activities and Elemental Cycles of the Early Earth

Research Project

Project/Area Number 03102002
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Specially Promoted Research

Allocation TypeSingle-year Grants
Research InstitutionTohoku University

Principal Investigator

OHMOTO Horoshi  Institute of Mineralogy, Petrology, and Economic Geology, Faculty of Science ; Professor, 理学部, 教授 (60194304)

Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) KAKEGAWA Takeshi  Institute of Mineralogy, Petrology, and Economic Geology, Faculty of Science ; R, 理学部, 助手 (60250669)
NARAOKA Hiroshi  Faculty of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Research Associate, 理学部, 助手 (20198386)
HAYASHI Ken-ichiro  Institute of Mineralogy, Petrology, and Economic Geology, Faculty of Science ; A, 理学部, 助教授 (40124614)
北風 嵐  東北大学, 理学部, 助手 (90035064)
Project Period (FY) 1991 – 1994
Project Status Completed (Fiscal Year 1994)
Budget Amount *help
¥140,000,000 (Direct Cost: ¥140,000,000)
Fiscal Year 1994: ¥10,000,000 (Direct Cost: ¥10,000,000)
Fiscal Year 1993: ¥10,000,000 (Direct Cost: ¥10,000,000)
Fiscal Year 1992: ¥20,000,000 (Direct Cost: ¥20,000,000)
Fiscal Year 1991: ¥100,000,000 (Direct Cost: ¥100,000,000)
KeywordsEarly Earth / Evolution of the atmospheric oxygen / Evolution of marine biota / Evolution of terrestrial biota / Geochemical cycles of carbon / Geochemical cycles of sulfur / Geochemical cycles of iron / Archean ore deposits / 表層環境 / 生物活動 / 酸素分圧 / 硫酸還元バクテリア / 熱水活動 / 古土壌 / 溶解速度 / 微小領域 / イオウ同位体比 / 地球初期 / 元素循環 / 縞状鉄鉱床 / 超微量ガス同位体比
Research Abstract

The current "dominant" theory concerning the surface environments, biological activity, and global geochemical cycles of elements of the early Earth holds that they were quite different from those in the present time. The main objective of our research was to develop a new perspective of the Earth by critically examining this "dominant theory" and a new theory proposed by Ohmoto. The approaches taken in this research project, in contrast to researches carried out by previous investigators, were more detailed, systematic, and multidimensional studies of the geochemical nature of a large number of samples of soils, sedimentary rocks, igneous rocks, metamorphic rocks and ore deposits formed during the period of 3.8 to 1.8 b.y.ago in many different regions in the world.
Our geochemical investigations have resulted in many important discoveries concerning the biological and chemical evolution of the Earth : (1) the oxygen-producing photosynthetic plants and organisms have been active in ocea … More n and on the continents since at least 3.5 b.y.ago ; (2) sulfate-reducing bacteria have been active in ocean since at least 3.8 b.y.ago, and methanogenic and methanotrophic bacteria since at least 2.8 b.y.ago ; (3) the atmosphere has been oxygen-rich since at least 3.5 b.y.ago ; (4) prior to -2.3 b.y.ago, the CO_2 content of the atmosphere was about 100 times greater and the surface temperature was about 30゚C higher than today ; (5) large-scale, deep, and anoxic basins developed periodically during the 2.8-2.3 b.y.period, and the basins became important sites for the accumulation of heavy metals ; (6) marine and terrestrial biota playd a major role in the geochemical cycles of C,O,S,Fe, U and many other elements in the early Earth in much the same ways as in today's Earth. We have developed a new theory that the biological and chemical evolution of the early Earth was more highly accelerated than previouly recognized, and that the elemental fluxes among the earth's various reservoirs (core, mantle, crust, ocean and atmosphere) have been at a steady state since at least -3.5 b.y.ago. Less

Report

(5 results)
  • 1994 Annual Research Report   Final Research Report Summary
  • 1993 Annual Research Report
  • 1992 Annual Research Report
  • 1991 Annual Research Report
  • Research Products

    (57 results)

All Other

All Publications (57 results)

  • [Publications] Ohmoto,H.: "Formation of volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits" Ore Deposit Review. in review.

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Ohmoto,H.: "When did the atmosphere become oxygen nich?(in Japanese)" 科学. 64. 360-370 (1994)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Ohmoto,H.,Kakegawa,T.,and Lowe,D.R.: "3.4-billion-year-old-biogenic pyrites from Barberton, South Africa:sulfur isotope evidence." Science. 262. 555-557 (1993)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Naraoka,H.et al.: "Non-biogenic graphite in a 3.8Ga metamorphic rock from the Isua district,Greenland." (to be submitted to Chemical Geology).

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Watanabe,Y.,Naraoka,H.,Ohmoto,H.and Condie,K.: "C,N,S,geochemistry of Archean and Proterozoic shales from the Kaapvaal Craton,South Africa." (to be submitted to Geochim.Cosmochim.Acta).

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Naraoka,H.,Hayashi,K.and Ohmoto H.: "Chemical and isotopic compositions of the ^-2.5Ga Mount McRae Shale,the Hamersley district,Western Australia:Implications for." (to be submitted to Geochim.Cosmochim.Acta).

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Liu,Y.,Hayashi,K.and Ohmoto,H.: "Carbon isotopic composition of kerogens from the 2.68Ga Marra Mamba Iron Formation,the Hamersley Basin,Western Australia." (to be submitted to Geochim.Cosmochim.Acta).

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Kumazawa,K.,et al.: "Isotopics and chemical compositions of dolomites from the 2.6Ga wittnoomM Formation,the Hamersley district Weasin,Western Australia." (to be submitted to Geochim.Cosmochim.Acta).

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] kakegawa,T.,Kawai,H.and Ohmoto,H.: "Origin of pyrites in the ^-2.5Ga Mt.McRae Shate,the Hamersley district,Western Australia." (to be submitted to Geochim.Cosmochim.Acta).

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] kakegawa,T.and Ohmoto,H.: "Sulfur isotopic evidence ^-3.4Ga biogenic pyrites and ^-3.1Ga hydrothermal pyrites at the Princeton Mine,Barberton,South Africa." (to be submitted to Chemical Geology).

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Ohmoto,H: "Evidence in paleosols for the early evolution of the atmospheric oxygen and terrerial biota." (to be submitted to Nature).

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Ohtake,M.,kakegawa,T.,Hayashi,K.and Ohmoto,H.: "Metamorphism in the 3.8 Ga Isua supracrustal belt,Greenland." (to be submitted to Geochim.Cosmochim.Acta).

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Kassai,N.,et al: "Geochemistry of the Archean-Proterozoic shales from the Kaapvaal Craton,South Africa." (to be submitted to Geochim.Cosmochim.Acta).

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Hayashi,K.,et al: "Geochmistry of Archean sedimentary rocks from the pilbara-Hamersley,district,Western Australia." (to be submitted to Geochim.Cosmochim.Acta).

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Hayashi,K.,et al: "Geochemistry of ^-1.9Ga sedimentary rocks from northeastern Labrador,Canada." (to be submitted to Geochim.Cosmochim.Acta).

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Manaka,M.and Ohmoto,H.: "Theoretical and experimental evaluations of dissolution mechanism of uraninite in low temperature aqueous solutions." (to be submitted to Geochim.Cosmochim.Acta).

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Kojima,S.,et al: "Sulfide minerals in Archean sedimentary rocks from the Pilbara-Hamersley district,Western Australia." (to be submitted to J.Sedimentary Research).

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Haruna,M.,Hanamuro,T.and Ohmoto,H.: "Chemical,fluid inclusion and oxygen isotope evidence for the hydrothermal alteration of the footwall of the Brockman Iron..." (to be submitted to Econ.Geol.).

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Ohmoto, h: "Formation of volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits" to be submitted to Econ.Geol.

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Ohmoto, H: "When did the atmosphere become oxygen rich?" Kagaku. v.64. 360-370 (1994)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Ohmoto, H., Kakegawa, T., and Lowe, D.R.: "3.4-billion-year-old biogenic pyrites from Barberton, South Africa : sulfur isotope evidence" Science. v.262. 555-557 (1993)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Naraoka, H., Ohtake, M., Maruyama, S.and Ohmoto, H.: "Non-biogenic graphite in a 3.8 Ga metamorphic rock from the Isua district, Greenland." to be submitted to Chemical Geology.

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Watanabe, Y., Naraoka, H., Ohmoto, H.and Condie, K.: "C,N,S geochemistry of Archean and Proterozoic shales from the Kaapvaal Craton, South Africa." to be submitted to Geochim. Cosmochim.Acta.

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Naraoka, H., Hayashi, K.and Ohmoto, H.: "Chemical and isotopic compositions of the -2.5 Ga Mount McRae Shale, the Hamersley district, Western Australia : Implications for biological activities and the earth's surface environments." to be submitted to Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta.

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Liu, Y., Hayashi, K.and Ohmoto, H.: "Carbon isotopic composition of kerogens from the 2.68 Ga Marra Mamba Iron Formation, the Hamersley Basin, Western Australia." to be submitted to Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta.

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Kumazawa, K., Sato, H., Kakegawa, T,Hayashi, K.and Ohmoto, H.: "Isotopic and chemical compositions of dolomites from the 2.6 Ga Wittnoom Formation, The Hamersley district, Western Australia." to be submitted to Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta.

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Kakegawa, T., Kawai, H.and Ohmoto, H.: "Origin of pyrites in the -2.5 Ga Mt.McRae Shale, the Hamersley district, Western Australia." to be submitted to Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta.

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Kakegawa, T.and Ohmoto, H.: "Sulfur isotopic evidence for -3.4 Ga biogenic pyrites and -3.1 Ga hydrothermal pyrites at the Princeton Gold Mine, Barberton, South.Africa." to be submitted to Chemical Geology.

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Ohmoto, H: "Evidence in paleosols for the early evolution of the atmospheric oxygen and terretrial biota." to be submitted to Nature.

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Ohtake, M., Kakegawa, T., Hayashi, K.and Ohomoto, H.: "Metamorphism in the 3.8 Ga Isua supracrustal belt, Greenland." to be submitted to Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta.

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Kassai, N., Watanabe, Y., Hayashi, K., Ohmoto, H., Lowe, D.R.and Condie, K.C.: "Geochemistry of the Archean-Proterozoic shales from the Kaapvaal Craton, South Africa." to be submitted to Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta.

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Hayashi, K., Hanamuro, T., Kassai, N., Naraoka, H.and Ohmoto, H.: "Geochemistry of Archean sedimentary rocks from the Pilbara-Hamersley district, Western Australia." to be submitted to Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta.

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Hayashi, K., Fujisawa, H., Ohmoto, H.and Holland, H.D.: "Geochemistry of -1.9 Ga sedimentary rocks from northeastern Labrador, Canada." to be submitted to Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta.

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Manaka, M.and Ohmoto, H.: "Theoretical and experimental evaluations of the dissolution mechanism of uraninite in low temperature aqueous solutions." to be submitted to Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta.

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Kojima, S., Hanamuro, T., Hayshi, K.Haruna, M.and Ohmoto, H.: "Sulfide minerals in Archean sedimentary rocks from the Pilbara-Hamersley district, Western Australia." to be submitted to J.Sedimentary Research.

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Haruna, M., Hanamuro, T.and Ohmoto, H.: "Chemical, fluid inclusion and oxygen isotope evidence for the hydrothermal alteration of the footwall rocks of the Brockman Iron Formation in the Hamersley Basin, Western Australia." to be submitted to Econ. Geol.

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Samieyani, A., Hayashi, K.and Ohmoto, H.: "Mineralogy and geochemistry of -3.5 Ga vocanogenic massive sulfide deposits at the Big Stubby prospect, the Pilbara district, Western Australia" to be submitted to Econ Geol.

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Ohmoto, H.: "Biogeochemistry of sulfur and the mechanisms of sulfide-sulfate mineralization in Archean oceans. In M.Schidlowski, S.Golubic, M.M.Kimberley, D.M.Mckirdy, P.A.Trudinger eds., Early Organic Evolution : Implications for MIneral & Energy Resources" Springer Verlag. 378-397 (1992)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Ohmoto,H.: "Formation of volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits." Ore deposit Review.in review.

    • Related Report
      1994 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] Ohmoto,H.et al: "Carbon isotope records suggesing formations of large anoxic basins2.8-2.5 Ga ago." Abstracts with Programs,Geol.Soc.Amer.Ann.Mtgs.,Seattle,WA USA. A353- (1994)

    • Related Report
      1994 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] Ohmoto,H.: "Geochemistry cycles of H,O,C,S,and heavy metals in the early Earth" Resource Geol.44. 274 (1994)

    • Related Report
      1994 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] Hayashi,K.and Ohmoto,H.: "Inorganic geochemistry of Archean sedimentary rocks;Clues to the Po2 in the Archean Atmosphere." Resource Geol.,. 44. 273 (1994)

    • Related Report
      1994 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] Naraoka,H.et ai.: "Organic geochemistry of Archean of Archean sedimentary rocks." Resource Geol.44. 273-274 (1994)

    • Related Report
      1994 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] Kakegawa,T.and Ohmoto,H.: "Sulfur isotope geochemistry of Archean sedimentary rocks." Resource Geol.44. 273- (1994)

    • Related Report
      1994 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] Ohmoto,H.,Kakegawa,Lowe,D.R.: "3.4-billion-year-old biogenic yrites from Barberton,South Africa:sulfur isotope evidence" Science. 262. 555-557 (1993)

    • Related Report
      1993 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] Hayashi,K.,Hiratsuka,M.,Nomura,T.,Ohmoto,H.: "In situ observation of mineral-solution reactions:Solubility determination of minerals in systems containing gaseous species" Proceedings of the 29th international geological congress 1992.Resource geology Special Issue. 15. 351-359 (1993)

    • Related Report
      1993 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] Chu,X.,Ohmoto,H.: "The role of polysulfides in sulfur isotope exchange reactions in the ageous sulfide-thiosulfate system" Proceedings of the 29th international geological congress 1992.Resource geology Special Issue. 16. 1-8 (1993)

    • Related Report
      1993 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] Ohmoto,H.,Hayashi,K.,Kajisa,Y.: "Experimental study of the solubilities of pyrite in NaCl-bearing aqueous solutions at 250°〜350°" Geochim.Cosmochim.Acta. (印刷中). (1994)

    • Related Report
      1993 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] Graham,U.M.,Ohmoto,H.: "Relationships between formational mechanisms and variations in properties of pyrite crystals synthesized between temperatures of 150 and 350 degree celsius" Geochim.Cosmochim.Acta. (印刷中). (1994)

    • Related Report
      1993 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] Jakobsen,U.H.,Ohmoto.H: "In Parmell,J.,Kucha,H.and Landais,P.eds Bitumen in Ore Deposits" Springer-Verlag, 520 (1993)

    • Related Report
      1993 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] Cole,D.R.,Ohmoto,H.Jacobs,G.K.: "Isotopic exchange in mineral-fluid systems.III.Rates and mechanisms of oxygen isotope exchange in the system granite-H_2O±NaCl±KCl at hydrothermal conditions" Geochim.Cosmochim.Acta. 56. 445-466 (1992)

    • Related Report
      1992 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] Ohmoto,H.,Kajisa,Y.: "Experimental study of the solubilities of pyrite in NaCl-bearing agueous solutions at 250゚〜350℃" Geochim.cosmochim.Acta. (1992)

    • Related Report
      1992 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] Grhm,U.M. Ohmoto,H,: "Relationships between formational mechanisms and variations in properties of pyrite crystals synthesized between temperatures of 150 and 350 degree celsius" Geochim.Cosmohim.Acta. (1992)

    • Related Report
      1992 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] Chu,Xue-lei;Ohmoto,H.: "Kinetics of isotope exchange reactions involving intra- and inter- molecular reactions.Part I.Rate law for system with two chemical compounds and three exchangeable atoms" Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. 55. 1953-1963 (1991)

    • Related Report
      1991 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] Ohmoto,H.;Hayashi,K.et al.: "Solubility and reaction kinetics of solution-solid reactions determined by in situ observations" Nature. 351. 634-636 (1991)

    • Related Report
      1991 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] Hayashi,K.;Ohmoto,H.: "Solubility of gold in NaClー and H_2Sーbearing aqueous solutions at 250 ー 350℃" Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. 555. 2111-2126 (1991)

    • Related Report
      1991 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] Ohmoto,H.: "Biogeochemistry of sulur and the mechanisms of sulfide-sulfate mineralization in Archean oceans.In "Early Organic Evolution:Implications for Mineral & Energy Resources"" Springer Verlag Publ.Co., 640 (1992)

    • Related Report
      1991 Annual Research Report

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Published: 1991-04-01   Modified: 2016-04-21  

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