The bacteria forming the stromatolites were the firstlife to photosynthesise

叠层石是第一种进行光合作用的物种

and release oxygen into our world.

生成氧气到我们的世界中

This led to one of the most profound changes in thehistory of Earth.

它们领导了一场地球史上最深刻的改变

Ultimately, the planet would have an atmosphere rich in oxygen,

最终，地球有了富含氧气的大气层

but before that could happen, something got in the way.

不过在此发生之前还有些阻碍

To see what stopped the oxygen reaching the atmosphere,

看看有什么阻止氧气到大气层

I'm heading deep into the Australian outback.

我朝澳大利亚内陆深入

Although this area is dry and dusty now,

虽然这一地区现在干燥和沙漠化

two and a half billion years ago these rocks were formed beneath the sea

二十五亿年前这些岩石是在海底下

and they hold the key to what happened to the oxygen.

它们是制造氧气的关键

Back then, the seas were rich in iron that was dissolved in the water.

那时候，海水里溶解了大量铁

When the oxygen given off by the stromatolites met the iron.

当叠层石生成的氧气遇到铁

they bonded together.

它们结合在一起

The result huge amounts of iron oxide formed, or as we usually know it, rust.

结果，生成了大量的铁氧化物或者如我们平时叫法，铁锈