Radiation-chemical processes leading to origination and accumulation of oxygen in the Earth’s atmosphere

Ершов, Б. Г.; Grishina, Maria M.; Shilov, V. P.

doi:10.1007/s11172-018-2164-x

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…This review further develops and substantiates the hypothesis proposed previously [ 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ], stating an important role of natural radioactivity in the chemical evolution of the early Earth. The goal is to rationalize and evaluate the radiation mechanism of the formation of organic matter and prebiotic molecules, as well as oxygenation of the hydro- and atmosphere.…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 86%

“…This situation, mimicking the harsh conditions of the early Earth’s atmosphere, was implemented in the synthesis of prebiotics according to the Miller-Urey mechanism. However, the radiation-induced synthesis proceeds at ambient temperature via the chemical reactions of dissolved compounds present among volcanic gases, and the products of their reactions [ 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. A specific feature of this process is that the reactions involve free radicals formed upon the radiolysis of water.…”

Section: Radical Mechanism Of Formation Of Amino Acids and Sugarsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Natural Radioactivity and Chemical Evolution on the Early Earth: Prebiotic Chemistry and Oxygenation

Ершов

2022

Molecules

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It is generally recognized that the evolution of the early Earth was affected by an external energy source: radiation from the early Sun. The hypothesis about the important role of natural radioactivity, as a source of internal energy in the evolution of the early Earth, is considered and substantiated in this work. The decay of the long-lived isotopes 232Th, 238U, 235U, and 40K in the Global Ocean initiated the oxygenation of the hydro- and atmosphere, and the abiogenesis. The content of isotopes in the ocean and the kinetics of their decay, the values of the absorbed dose and dose rate, and the efficiency of sea water radiolysis, as a function of time, were calculated. The ocean served as both a “reservoir” that collected components of the early atmosphere and products of their transformations, and a “converter” in which further chemical reactions of these compounds took place. Radical mechanisms were proposed for the formation of simple amino acids, sugars, and nitrogen bases, i.e., the key structures of all living things, and also for the formation of oxygen. The calculation results confirm the possible important role of natural radioactivity in the evolution of terrestrial matter, and the emergence of life.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Section: Radical Mechanism Of Formation Of Amino Acids and Sugarsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Natural Radioactivity and Chemical Evolution on the Early Earth: Prebiotic Chemistry and Oxygenation

Ершов

2022

Molecules

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“…In particular, according to calculations, the total mass of oxygen that has arisen as a result of the radiolysis of water over the past 3.8 billion years is approximately 7.4 × 10 17 kg, i.e., a value on the same order of magnitude as its content in the modern atmosphere of Earth. This fact, with sufficient justification, can be considered as an important indication of the significant role of radiolysis in the purification of seawater from toxic impurities. , …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is interesting to note that, apparently, radiolytic treatment of water played an important role in the formation of the aquatic environment of our planet, making it suitable for the appearance of life. 7,8 In the prebiotic era, the level of radiation on the surface of and within Earth was extremely high, and the decay of radioactive isotopes ( 40 K, 235 years ago, the Earth formed, and for about 2 billion years, there was no oxygen in its atmosphere; seawater contained a significant amount of volcanic activity products: ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and others. Radioisotopes dissolved in water, and in particular, 40 K initiated the formation of ion-radical products from water radiolysis, which contributed to the degradation of toxic pollutants.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This fact, with sufficient justification, can be considered as an important indication of the significant role of radiolysis in the purification of seawater from toxic impurities. 7,8 In modern conditions, the most practical and fastest method of radiolysis of water is to irradiate it with fast electrons, 9−13 whose energy is hundreds of thousands to millions of electronvolts (1 eV = 1.602 × 10 −19 J). This processing method makes it possible to instantly create high concentrations of radicals that can neutralize and disinfect contaminants in the aquatic environment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Green Method in Water Management: Electron Beam Treatment

Пономарев

Ершов

2020

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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During the prebiotic era, radiolytic transformations in the oceans played a key role in purifying water from toxic impurities and, thus, played a role in the formation of the aquatic environment of our planet, making it suitable for the emergence of life. Today, the planet again faces the challenge of how to provide people with clean water. Therefore, it is reasonable to look back at past historical stages and again consider the possibility of neutralizing pollutants in water by means of radiolysis, which has already been tested by time. Modern radiolytic treatments can be much faster and safer thanks to the advent of powerful electron accelerators and high-rate electron beam treatment (ELT) of water and wastewater. Radiolytic treatment of water using accelerated electrons corresponds to the essence of advanced oxidative technologies and green chemistry. The ELT of water instantly generates a high concentration of short-lived radicals that can quickly neutralize and decompose chemical and bacterial pollutants. Due to the ability of accelerated electrons to penetrate into a substance, ELT provides the decomposition of both dissolved and suspended pollutants. The cleaning effect of ELT is due to the ability to inactivate toxic and chromophore functional groups, transform impurities into an easily removable form, damage the DNA of microorganisms and their spore forms, and increase the biodegradability of organic impurities. The use of ELT in water treatment provides significant savings in chemical reagents, thereby improving quality and reducing the number of cleaning steps. The compactness, high degree of automation of the equipment used, energy efficiency, high productivity, and excellent compatibility with traditional water treatment methods are important advantages of ELT. Unlike conventional chemicals, the excess radicals generated in the ELT process are converted back to water and hydrogen; thus, the chemical and corrosive activity of water does not increase. Equipping research institutes with electron accelerators, developing cheaper accelerators, and granting government support for pilot projects are key conditions for introducing ELT into water treatment practice.

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