An early consequence of the release of oxygen gas by plant and bacterial photosy

Question

An early consequence of the release of oxygen gas by plant and bacterial photosynthesis was to

A) make life on land difficult for aerobic organisms.
B) change the atmosphere from oxidizing to reducing.
C) make it easier to maintain reduced molecules.
D) cause iron in ocean water and terrestrial rocks to rust (oxidize).
E) prevent the formation of an ozone layer.

Answer D. Please help explain the theme of this question (bacterial photosynthesis came before plants, plants appeared after atmospheric oxygen was available correct??), which statements are true or false and why?

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Explanation / Answer

Answer D) cause iron in ocean water and terrestrial rocks to rust (oxidize).

Explanation- Let's understand this question in simple terms. consequence means an output or result of the certain act. consequences of the release of oxygen gas by plant and bacterial photosynthesis must be related to the oxidization events initially. therefore, any event that considers the oxidation or consumption/utilization of oxygen would be the initial consequence of abundant oxygen in the environment. higher oxygen concentration will make an oxidizing environment and it will oxidize the reactive metals. on the primitive earth surface, whether in ocean water or on terrestrial rocks, iron was present abundantly.

therefore, an early consequence of the release of oxygen gas by plant and bacterial photosynthesis was to oxidize the iron in ocean water and terrestrial rocks. this oxidizing process is also called as rusting of iron.

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