Theory 47/Deep Time/Atmospheric oxygen
Oxygen Is Production Against Burial
The claim
Atmospheric oxygen level is set by the ratio of organic carbon burial to oxygen consumption by weathering and volcanism, so a small change in burial shifts the level substantially.
01Mechanism
Oxygen accumulates when carbon is buried and is consumed when it is exposed; the ratio determines the steady state.
02Prediction
Level should track the ratio.
03Refutation
Level tracking productivity would remove burial.