TLS Online TPP Program

#Question id: 12095


It is now thought that the atmosphere of the primitive Earth was composed largely of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and water vapor. The composition of certain iron-containing minerals suggests that the carbon dioxide began to be replaced by oxygen about 2 billion years ago.   Which of the following is the best explanation for the change in atmospheric composition?

#Unit 10. Ecological Principles
  1. Ozone produced in the upper atmosphere by ultraviolet light broke down to oxygen. 
  2. Minerals such as iron oxide released oxygen into the atmosphere.
  3. Oxygen was present in volcanic gases and slowly accumulated with time. 
  4. Photosynthesis was established in primitive bacteria.