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Fig. 1. A generalized biosphere model showing the basic inputs and outputs of energy and materials. P. G. Falkowski et al., Science 320, 1034 -1039 (2008) . Published by AAAS. O 2 -mediated. Mn -mediated. Fe-mediated. S-mediated. N-mediated. H 2 or C-mediated.
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Fig. 1. A generalized biosphere model showing the basic inputs and outputs of energy and materials P. G. Falkowski et al., Science 320, 1034 -1039 (2008) Published by AAAS
O2-mediated Mn -mediated Fe-mediated S-mediated N-mediated H2 or C-mediated Mn2+ NH4+ Fe2+ HS- CH4 H2 [CH2O] Respiration O2 Mn4+ NO3- N2 Fe3+ SO42- CO2 H2O N2-fixation +CO2 Photosynthesis
The rise of oxygen altered the N cycle- The BIG FLIP • Oxygen permitted NH4 to be converted to NO3 – which can be rapidly reduced to N2. • There was a critical time in Earth’s history when the N cycle was a major barrier to oxidizing the planet • Once over that “hump” we entered a new stable state.
d34S sulfate d34S sulfide D33S Courtesy of Farquhar et al, Science 2004
Similar feedback during Oceanic Anoxic Events? • Anoxic environments: • denitrification removal of fixed nitrogen from the ocean • retards of primary production, favors N2-fixers Jenkyns et al. 2001
Evidence of lateral gene transfer of nif genes Shi and Falkowski, PNAS 2008
O2-mediated Mn -mediated Fe-mediated S-mediated N-mediated H2 or C-mediated Mn2+ NH4+ Fe2+ HS- CH4 H2 [CH2O] Respiration O2 Mn4+ NO3- N2 Fe3+ SO42- CO2 H2O N2-fixation +CO2 Photosynthesis Falkowski, Fenchel and Delong, Science, 2008