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Artists concept of Archean stromatolites on the shore of an ancient sea
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Artists concept of Archean stromatolites on the shore of an ancient sea
Dome-shaped stromatolites, averaging three feet high and four feet wide, populate the shallow shore of an ancient sea 3 billion years ago. The Moon looms near the horizon, much closer to the Earth than it is now and therefore appearing considerably larger, but otherwise looking much like the moon we know today.
3 billion years ago the first macro evidence of life on Earth may have appeared in the form of large aggregations of microorganisms and associated sediments known as stromatolites. Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, were likely one of the primary contributors to these aggregations. During the Archean Eon the Earths atmosphere contained very little oxygen. Cyanobacteria would have thrived during this time as they employ photosynthesis to combine water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight to create their food, while the byproducts of this process are oxygen and calcium carbonate.
Billions of years of photosynthetic processes by cyanobacteria and other living organisms are likely the primary source of the oxygen we breathe. They also provided the oxygen that forms the protective ozone layer, filtering the shorter wavelengths of ultraviolet light from the Sun that are harmful to most forms of life.
Varieties of stromatolites still flourish to this day with well-known formations in parts of Australia, Brazil, and the Bahamas
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Media ID 13000169
© Walter Myers/Stocktrek Images
Algae Anaerobe Ancient Archaeology Bacteria Beginnings Bizarre Coastline Creation Dome Earth Fossil Geology Hadean Life Moon Natural History Neoproterozoic Era Origin Physical Geography Precambrian Rock Rock Formation Scenic Sediment Shallow Shore Abiogenesis Archaea Archean Cyanobacteria Evolution Micro Organisms Prehistoric Era Stromatolite
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases an artist's concept of Archean stromatolites on the shore of an ancient sea, transporting us back in time to 3 billion years ago. These dome-shaped stromatolites, standing at an average height of three feet and width of four feet, adorned the shallow shores of this primordial ocean. As we gaze upon this scene, we notice the Moon hanging near the horizon, appearing much larger than it does today due to its closer proximity to Earth. During this era, life on our planet began leaving macro evidence through large aggregations of microorganisms known as stromatolites. Cyanobacteria or blue-green algae played a crucial role in these formations. Flourishing in an atmosphere with minimal oxygen content, cyanobacteria utilized photosynthesis to convert water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight into their sustenance while producing oxygen and calcium carbonate as byproducts. The billions of years that followed witnessed the continuous photosynthetic processes carried out by cyanobacteria and other organisms which ultimately became responsible for providing us with breathable oxygen. Moreover, they contributed to the formation of Earth's protective ozone layer that shields us from harmful ultraviolet radiation emitted by the Sun. Even today, various types of stromatolites continue to thrive across different parts of our world such as Australia, Brazil, and the Bahamas – a testament to their resilience throughout history. This awe-inspiring image captured by Walter Myers from Stocktrek Images invites us to marvel at both our planet's ancient past and its enduring natural wonders.
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