Fossil Evidence Suggests Photosynthesis Began 1.75 Billion Years Ago in Australian Microbes

Scientists have made a stunning discovery in Australia that could rewrite the history of life on Earth. They have found the oldest evidence of photosynthetic structures inside microfossils that date back 1.75 billion years.

Photosynthesis: The Key to Oxygen and Life

(Photo : PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)

Photosynthesis is the process by which some organisms use sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide into glucose and oxygen. This is essential for the survival of most life forms on Earth, as oxygen is needed for cellular respiration.

The origin and evolution of photosynthesis have been a mystery for a long time. Scientists have debated when and how the first organisms developed the ability to perform oxygenic photosynthesis, which is unique to cyanobacteria and their descendants.

Cyanobacteria are also known as blue-green algae, and they are among the oldest and most diverse groups of bacteria. They have played a crucial role in shaping the Earth's biosphere, as they are responsible for the Great Oxidation Event, which occurred about 2.4 billion years ago and dramatically increased the oxygen levels in the atmosphere.

A Groundbreaking Discovery in Australia

A team of researchers from the University of Sydney and the Australian National University has uncovered a remarkable finding in the McDermott Formation, a geological site in northern Australia.

They have identified fossilized structures of Navisifusa majensis, a type of ancient cyanobacterium, inside microfossils that are 1.75 billion years old.

This is the oldest direct evidence of oxygenic photosynthesis ever found, and it challenges the previous assumptions and timelines associated with the evolution of this process.

The discovery suggests that oxygenic photosynthesis existed far earlier than previously thought, and that it was more widespread and diverse than previously assumed.

The researchers used a variety of techniques, including electron microscopy and spectroscopy, to analyze the microfossils and confirm their identity and age.

They also compared them with modern cyanobacteria and found striking similarities in their morphology and biochemistry.

The discovery has profound implications for our understanding of the early history of life on Earth and the atmospheric conditions that enabled it.

It also opens up new avenues for further research and exploration, as the researchers hope to find more fossils and clues that could shed more light on this fascinating topic.

Also Read: How Plants Improve Photosynthesis When the Light Environment Changes

More Details on the Fossil Structures and Their Significance

The fossil structures that the researchers found are called thylakoids, which are membrane-bound compartments that contain the pigment molecules and proteins that capture and convert light energy.

Thylakoids are the key components of the photosynthetic machinery in cyanobacteria and plants.

The researchers were able to detect the presence of thylakoids in the microfossils by using a technique called electron energy loss spectroscopy, which measures the energy loss of electrons after they interact with matter.

By analyzing the spectra of the microfossils, the researchers could identify the characteristic signatures of chlorophyll, the main pigment molecule in photosynthesis, and iron, which is involved in the electron transport chain.

The researchers also observed the fine details of the thylakoid structures by using a technique called transmission electron microscopy, which uses a beam of electrons to create high-resolution images of thin samples.

By comparing the images of the microfossils with those of modern cyanobacteria, the researchers could see that the thylakoids had similar shapes, sizes, and arrangements.

The researchers estimated the age of the microfossils by using a technique called radiometric dating, which measures the decay of radioactive isotopes in rocks. By measuring the ratio of uranium to lead in the rocks that contained the microfossils, the researchers could determine that they were 1.75 billion years old.

The age of the microfossils is significant because it predates the oldest known fossils of eukaryotes, which are organisms that have a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.

Eukaryotes are thought to have evolved from the endosymbiosis of prokaryotes, which are organisms that lack a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.

One of the key events in this process was the incorporation of cyanobacteria into the ancestor of plants, which gave rise to the chloroplasts, the organelles that perform photosynthesis in plants.

The discovery of the microfossils suggests that oxygenic photosynthesis was already well-established and diversified in prokaryotes before the emergence of eukaryotes, and that it may have played a role in the evolution of complex life forms.

It also implies that the oxygen levels in the atmosphere and the oceans may have fluctuated more than previously thought, and that the environmental conditions may have been more variable and dynamic.

The discovery also raises new questions about the origin and evolution of photosynthesis, such as how and when did the first photosynthetic organisms arise, and what were the factors that influenced their diversification and distribution.

The researchers hope to find more answers by continuing their search for ancient fossils and by using advanced techniques to analyze them.

The discovery of the microfossils is a remarkable achievement that showcases the power of interdisciplinary collaboration and cutting-edge technology.

It also demonstrates the importance of curiosity and exploration, as the researchers were inspired by a previous discovery of similar fossils in Canada, and decided to look for them in Australia.

The discovery is a testament to the beauty and complexity of nature, and the wonder and joy of science.