Final answer:
The lack of carbonate rocks in Earth's atmosphere is due to photosynthesis by plants, the sequestration of carbon in the Earth's crust, and the increase in the Sun's luminosity leading to faster weathering of rocks. These processes result in the removal of CO2 from the atmosphere, contributing to a relatively stable climate and allowing for the development of complex life.
Step-by-step explanation:
Causes of Lack of Carbonate Rocks in the Atmosphere
The scarcity of carbonate rocks in Earth's atmosphere is primarily due to several geochemical and biological processes. Initially, Earth's atmosphere lacked abundant free oxygen, despite the oxygen generation by plants through photosynthesis. This oxygen was quickly removed by chemical reactions with the Earth's crust. Over time, the increased sophistication of life led to higher rates of oxygen production, which, along with heavy erosion and geological activity, caused the burying of plant carbon that prevented it from recombining with oxygen to form CO2.
The proliferation of terrestrial plants, which drew CO2 out of the atmosphere and trapped it into rocks, played a crucial role in decreasing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. This combined with the erosion and sedimentation processes contributed to the sequestration of carbon in sedimentary carbonate rocks. These rocks, if heated, could release significant amounts of CO2, but on Earth, they remain part of the crust due to the planet's habitable temperatures.
Additionally, life on Earth has transformed the atmosphere by reducing carbon dioxide levels and increasing oxygen levels significantly, contributing to the deficiency of CO2 in the atmosphere compared to planets like Venus and Mars. Moreover, the increase in the Sun's luminosity has led to faster weathering of rocks and removal of CO2 from the atmosphere, keeping the Earth's temperature fairly stable, which has been vital for the development of complex life forms.