medium · SAT Reading & Writing
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes: The 'Great Oxidation Event' (GOE) occurred approximately 2.4 billion years ago. Before the GOE, Earth’s atmosphere was almost entirely devoid of free oxygen. Cyanobacteria began producing oxygen through photosynthesis as a byproduct of their metabolic processes. This oxygen initially reacted with iron in the oceans, creating banded iron formations. Eventually, the oxygen saturated these sinks and began to accumulate in the atmosphere. The student wants to explain the cause of the Great Oxidation Event.
Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
- The Great Oxidation Event occurred 2.4 billion years ago and led to the formation of banded iron in Earth's oceans.
- Oxygen produced by cyanobacteria was first absorbed by iron in the oceans before it could enter the atmosphere.
- The Great Oxidation Event was triggered by cyanobacteria, which released oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis.
- Earth's atmosphere lacked oxygen until 2.4 billion years ago, when oxygen began to accumulate in the atmosphere.
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