Evidence that the GOE was a prolonged event with a peak around 1900 Ma

The great oxygenation event (GOE), the first of two major rises in atmospheric oxygen Earth history, was initially placed near Archean-Proterozoic boundary (∼2500 Ma). More recently, position GOE has been moved to between 2500 and 2300 Ma so as coincide with loss MIF sulfur isotope signal due creation Earth's ozone layer at that time. Here we present a revised interpretation history Archean Proterozoic, based on multi-geochemical proxy approach. Integration large database analyses redox sensitive elements sedimentary pyrite (Se, Co, Mo), matrix black shales (U, temporal evolution minerals, suggest prolonged, reaching peak 2000 1700 Ma. Rather than relatively short-lived from Ma, an alternative profile for O2, i.e., unsteady start rise around 2700 undulated approximately billion years, 1900 before plunge Proterozoic Eon after