Radiation-chemical mechanism of bivalent iron oxidation in the World Ocean is suggested and substantiated. The decay of primordial radioactive isotopes ⁴⁰K, ²³⁵U, ²³⁸U, and ²³²Th, present on the Earth since the moment of its formation (4.5 Ga), initiated the water radiolysis with the generation of ionic and radical species (e_aq^–, ^•H, ^•OH) and formation of molecular products (H₂O₂ and H₂). The mechanism of the radiation-chemical oxidation of Fe²⁺ in the World Ocean depending on pH and the presence of oxygen is considered. The Fe(III) hydrolysis is responsible for the iron transfer from the freely dissolved state in the ocean into the solid phase. Low solubility of the hydroxide favors the formation of insoluble oxides, magnetite and hematite. The calculations reveal the decisive role of ⁴⁰K in the radiation-induced oxidation. The process occurred throughout the volume of the World Ocean with the efficiency corresponding to the solubility of potassium salts in it. Quantitative estimation shows that, in the period from 4.3 to 2.5 Ga, i.e., before the occurrence of the Great Oxidation Event, about ~10²¹ g of iron could be oxidized by the radiation-chemical mechanism.

提出并证实了世界海洋中二价铁氧化的辐射化学机制。自地球形成之时 (4.5 Ga) 就存在于地球上的原始放射性同位素⁴⁰ K、²³⁵ U、²³⁸ U 和²³² Th的衰变开始了水的辐射分解，产生了离子和自由基物种 (e _aq ^– , ^• H, ^• OH) 并形成分子产物（H ₂ O ₂和 H ₂）。Fe ²⁺的辐射化学氧化机理在世界海洋中，取决于 pH 值和氧气的存在。Fe(III) 水解负责将铁从海洋中的自由溶解状态转移到固相。氢氧化物的低溶解度有利于形成不溶性氧化物、磁铁矿和赤铁矿。计算结果揭示了⁴⁰ K 在辐射诱导氧化中的决定性作用。该过程发生在整个世界海洋中，其效率与钾盐在其中的溶解度相对应。定量估计表明，在4.3~2.5 Ga的时期，即大氧化事件发生之前，大约有~10 ²¹ g的铁可以被辐射化学机制氧化。