Tagtik

TAGTIK NEWS - TO THE POINT

Scientists have strong evidence that oceans were originally green

byQG
|
31 Mar 2025 12h30
Earth with clouds above the African continent
© Unsplash

As Earth continues to evolve, scientists have recently discovered that the planet’s original oceans were not blue but green.

In a study published in Nature Ecology and Evolution, experts explain that the vast bodies of water surrounding the continents initially had a green hue due to high concentrations of ferrous iron. Over time, this resource transformed into ferric iron through the action of cyanobacteria.

These bacteria played a crucial role in reshaping Earth’s atmosphere by producing large amounts of oxygen, ultimately creating a viable ecosystem.

Taro Matsuo, the lead researcher on the study, suggested that searching for planets with green-colored seas could help scientists understand the development of life elsewhere.

"Remote-sensing data show that waters rich in iron hydroxide, such as those around Iwo Island in the Satsunan Archipelago, appear noticeably brighter than typical blue oceans. This leads us to think that green oceans might be observable from a longer distance, making them easier to detect," Matsuo said.

(QG - Source: Indy 100 - Picture : © Unsplash)