Palaeoatmospheric argon in Rhynie chert (original) (raw)

• Letter
• Published: 01 July 1977

Nature volume 268, pages 38–41 (1977)Cite this article

• 182 Accesses
• 49 Citations
• Metrics details

Abstract

THE isotopic compositions and relative abundances of rare gases in the Earth's atmosphere impose rigid constraints on models of atmospheric evolution. Appreciable quantities of argon from the Devonian atmosphere have been extracted from silicified fossil plants and the isotopic composition of this argon implies that the Earth must have been strongly outgassed early in its history.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Subscribe to this journal

Receive 51 print issues and online access

$199.00 per year

only $3.90 per issue

Buy this article

• Purchase on SpringerLink
• Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Additional access options:

• Log in
• Learn about institutional subscriptions
• Read our FAQs
• Contact customer support

Similar content being viewed by others

References

1. Ozima, M. Nature phys. Sci. 246, 41 (1973).
   Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
2. Schwartzman, D. W. Nature phys. Sci. 245, 20 (1973).
   Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
3. Cameron, A. G. W. Space Sci. Rev. 15, 121 (1973).
   Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
4. Begemann, F., Weber, H. W. & Hintenberger, H. Astrophys. J. 203, L155 (1976).
   Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
5. Turekian, K. K. Geochim. cosmochim. Acta. 17, 37 (1959).
   Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
6. Schwartzman, D. W. Geochim. cosmochim. Acta. 37, 2479 (1973).
   Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
7. Alexander, E. C., Jr. Pre-Cambrian Research 2, 329 (1975).
   Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
8. Kevan, P. G., Chaloner, W. G. & Savile, D. B. O. Palaeontology 182, 391 (1975).
   Google Scholar
9. Cadogan, P. H. in Lunar Science VIII (abstract), 157 (Lunar Science Institute, Houston, 1977).
   Google Scholar
10. Smith, P. J. Topics in Geophysics (Open University Press, 1973).
    Google Scholar
11. Hanks, T. C. & Anderson, D. L. Phys. Earth Planet. Inter. 2 (1), 19 (1969).
    Article ADS Google Scholar
12. Patterson, C. & Tatsumoto, M. Geochim. cosmochim. Acta 28, 1 (1964).
    Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
13. Cadogan, P. H. & Turner, G. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A 284, 167 (1977).
    ADS CAS Google Scholar
14. Fanale, F. P. Chem. Geol. 8, 79 (1971).
    Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
15. Moorbath, S., O'Nions, R. K., Pankhurst, R. J., Gale, N. H. & McGregor, V. R. Nature phys. Sci. 240, 78 (1972).
    Article ADS CAS Google Scholar

Download references

Author information

Author notes

1. PETER H. CADOGAN
   Present address: , 100 Ryeworth Road, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, UK

Authors and Affiliations

1. Department of Physics, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
   PETER H. CADOGAN

Rights and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

CADOGAN, P. Palaeoatmospheric argon in Rhynie chert.Nature 268, 38–41 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1038/268038a0

Download citation

• Received: 17 February 1977
• Accepted: 16 May 1977
• Published: 01 July 1977
• Issue date: 07 July 1977
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/268038a0

This article is cited by