Silicon isotopic signatures of granitoids support increased weathering of subaerial land 3.7 billion years ago

The emergence of land allowed for the formation of lakes and continental shelves, habitats that were eventually important for the origin and evolution of life. Recent studies indicate a difference in silicon isotopes between Archean granitoids and their modern counterparts, which is explained by the incorporation of seawater-derived silica in the melting sources of the former.

We show that this signature changed rapidly around 3.6 billion years ago, and that this shift is likely linked to an increase in the dissolved silicon flux from terrestrial weathering. Modeling suggests that the amount of oceanic silicon derived from terrigenous sources increased from low levels to around 32 ± 15 % between 3.8 and 3.6 Ga. This indicates, that from 3.6 Ga on, continental weathering feedbacks were established and mass flux from land became an important source in the chemical budget of seawater, changes that likely exerted a positive effect on the evolution of life.