the great oxidation
an invisible change
section titled “an invisible change”for millions of years, life on earth was microscopic.
but some organisms developed something new.
a process capable of changing the planet forever.
photosynthesis
section titled “photosynthesis”some bacteria began to use sunlight to obtain energy.
as a result, they released oxygen.
at first, this oxygen did not remain in the atmosphere.
it reacted with other elements.
a planet that transforms
section titled “a planet that transforms”
> microorganisms releasing oxygen in primitive oceans
over time, the amount of oxygen increased.
little by little, it began to accumulate in the atmosphere.
this caused one of the greatest changes in the planet’s history.
a crisis for life
section titled “a crisis for life”oxygen was toxic to many of the existing organisms.
many disappeared.
but others adapted.
and that adaptation opened the door to more complex forms of life.
the beginning of a new stage
section titled “the beginning of a new stage”
> the atmosphere began to contain oxygen
the earth was no longer the same.
the atmosphere had changed.
and with it, the future of the planet also.