The article explores the impact of ancient minerals on the evolution of early life during extreme environmental changes, particularly during the Cryogenic period. As new minerals entered the oceans, they provided essential nutrients that supported microbial life. Chris Kempes highlights that environmental shifts often drive evolutionary adaptations, suggesting that the harsh conditions of the Cryogenic may have shaped evolution more than previously recognized. Kirkland's research aims to analyze minerals like apatites to further comprehend these planetary cycles, drawing parallels to present-day climate change dynamics.
"Any time there's a really radical environmental shift, we know that's an interesting time for evolution," says Chris Kempes, emphasizing the relationship between environmental changes and evolutionary processes.
Halverson thinks the extreme habitats that life had to endure during the snowballs played more of a role in shaping evolution than the nutrient flushes from glaciers.
Kirkland hopes to look at rocks called apatites, which contain oxygen and other elements like strontium and phosphorus, to determine other minerals key in ancient oceans.
Though the global changes of the Cryogenic happened eons ago, Kirkland sees parallels with the wide-scale climate changes of today, linking past and present environmental cycles.
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