Life thrived on Earth 3.5 billion years ago, research suggests

Scientists use stable sulfur isotopes to understand ancient microbial metabolism

Date:

February 8, 2019

Source:

Tokyo Institute of Technology

Summary:

Three and a half billion years ago Earth hosted life, but was it barely surviving, or thriving? A new study provides new answers to this question. Microbial metabolism is recorded in billions of years of sulfur isotope ratios that agree with this study’s predictions, suggesting life throve in the ancient oceans. Using this data, scientists can more deeply link the geochemical record with cellular states and ecology.

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Electron microscopy image of microbial cells which respire sulfate.

Credit: Guy Perkins and Mark Ellisman, National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190208085855.htm

Three and a half billion years ago Earth hosted life, but was it barely surviving, or thriving? A new study carried out by a multi institutional team with leadership including the Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI) of Tokyo Institute of Technology…