by PegNews wire

Knowing the origins of oxygen can help scientists interpret the potential of alien life on Earth-like planets, they say.

ARLINGTON — New research by University of Texas at Arlington physicists sheds light on the development of oxygen.

Manfred Cuntz, associate professor of physics, along with Physics Professor Zdzislaw Musielak and former graduate student Dipanjan Roy, have developed a theoretical model to explain the rise of oxygen that occurred about 2.4 billion years ago at a time when only very primitive life forms were able to exist.

Cuntz says there are two reasons why understanding how oxygen was developed is important research. First, Cuntz says understanding how the Earth's atmosphere attained its current oxygen level is crucial to understanding the origin and evolution of complex life forms. Second, knowing how oxygen developed in Earth's atmosphere will help scientists interpret the atmospheric chemistry signatures of other Earth-like planets and their potential for supporting alien life.

Source: UT Arlington

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