Origin of life from apatite dating?
Article Abstract:
Apatites from sediment sequences of Akilia island, southwest Greenland, experienced a metamorphic event of around 600 degrees C about 1,500 million years (Myr) ago. This research builds on earlier work which reported that the carbon-isotope composition of carbonaceous inclusions in grains of apatite from Akilia island were more than 3,850 Myr old. Those looking for evidence of the earliest life on Earth must find an apatite with a pattern of rare-earth elements that shows a biogenic signature, with a U-Pb closure age apparently older than 3,500 Myr and with carbonaceous inclusions containing isotopically light carbon.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1999
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Evidence for life on Earth before 3,800 million years ago
Article Abstract:
The presence of isotopically light carbonaceous inclusions in apatite grains that are almost 3,800 million years old indicates biological activity. Ion-microprobe measurements of the carbon-isotope composition of the Isua supracrustal belt, West Greenland and Akilia islands show that the carbon in the inclusions has been formed by biotic activity. The results of the study show that life was present on Earth before 3,800 million years ago.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1996
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Cryptomare magmatism 4.35 Gyr ago recorded in lunar meteorite Kalahari 009
Article Abstract:
The ion microprobe U-Pb dating of phosphates in Kalahari 009, a lunar meteorite, is studied to gain more insight into the evolution of Moon. The presence of old cryptomare magmatism in the meteorite proves that mare basalt volcanism on the Moon started about 4.35 Gyr ago.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 2007
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