For millennia, Earth has been recognized as the ‘blue planet,’ a name inspired by the vast oceans that dominate its surface. However, a groundbreaking new study published in Nature Geology & Evolution proposes that this iconic image may not have always been accurate.
According to the researchers, Earth’s oceans were likely green in the distant past due to different chemical compositions and microbial life forms. The study suggests that variations in the amounts of oxygen, iron, and the presence of certain microorganisms could have given the oceans a green hue. Over geological timescales, as oxygen levels rose and marine ecosystems evolved, the oceans gradually shifted to the deep blue color we are familiar with today.
This revelation not only prompts a reconsideration of Earth’s visual history but also provides valuable insights into the planet’s early atmospheric and biological conditions. Understanding these ancient characteristics could help scientists better grasp the processes that have shaped the development of life and Earth’s environments over billions of years.
Source: https:// – Courtesy of the original publisher.
