Atmospheric oxygen regulation at low Proterozoic levels by incomplete oxidative weathering of sedimentary organic carbon

Abstract

It is unclear why atmospheric O2 remained at low levels for >1.5 billion years following the Great Oxidation Event. Here, the authors show that tectonic recycling of previously accumulated sedimentary organic carbon, and oxygen sensitivity of its oxidative weathering stabilized O2at ∼1–10% of present levels.