Which experimental observation provided evidence that oxygen released during photosynthesis comes from water?

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  • APriestley's bell jar experiment showing plants purify air.
  • BEngelmann's experiment using aerobic bacteria.
  • CVan Niel's hypothesis based on purple sulfur bacteria.
  • DMelvin Calvin's experiment tracing carbon in algae.
Explanation

C.B. van Niel, studying purple and green sulfur bacteria, hypothesized that H2S was the hydrogen donor for their photosynthesis, releasing sulfur. He then extrapolated this to green plants, proposing that water (H2O) is the hydrogen donor, and thus the source of oxygen (O2) released. This was later confirmed by Ruben and Kamen using heavy isotope of oxygen (O18).

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