From sulfur dioxide to atmospheric oxygen

By Nina Notman2023-09-08T08:42:00

Molecules of sulfur dioxide being broken down by a laser into oxygen and sulfur

Source: Composite image including elements from © Getty Images and © Shutterstock

Early Earth’s oxygen surge could be partly thanks to volcanic sulfur dioxide

Use the story and the accompanying summary slide to provide real-world context for 14–16 learners when studying Earth’s atmosphere. Around 2.4 billion years ago, Earth experienced a significant surge in atmospheric oxygen levels during the great oxidation event. The cause of this event has long puzzled researchers. Researchers from China, led by Kaijun Yuan, have made a ground-breaking discovery: a portion of this oxygen likely originated from the breakdown of volcanic sulfur dioxide.

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