Short-term effects of gamma ray bursts on Earth

Martín, Osmel; Galante, Douglas; Cárdenas, Rolando; Horvath, J. E.

doi:10.1007/s10509-009-0037-3

Cited by 26 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…The question has arisen as to whether this intense ultraviolet light had a detrimental effect; through photolysing, prejudicial photochemical reactions, and too large informational mutation rates (Biondi et al, 2007), or beneficial effect; through promoting necessary photochemical reactions, such as abiogenic synthesis of the nucleic acid bases, ribose and other carbohydrates (Schwartz, 1995), as well as a favorable selective pressure (Sagan, 1973), on the first molecules of life (Cockell, 1998;Cnossen et al, 2007;Martín et al, 2009). It is argued below, that, apart from inducing useful photochemical reactions and providing favorable selective pressure, ultraviolet light was crucial to the origin of life for another reason; RNA and DNA are unparalleled ultraviolet light absorbing molecules (photon extinction coefficient of 13 000 M −1 L cm −1 at peak absorption at 260 nm) which, in the presence of water, convert this light rapidly into heat (Middleton et al, 2009) thereby promoting evaporation.…”

Section: Ambient Conditions Of Insipient Lifementioning

confidence: 99%

Thermodynamic dissipation theory for the origin of life

Michaelian

2011

Earth Syst. Dynam.

168

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Abstract. Understanding the thermodynamic function of life may shed light on its origin. Life, as are all irreversible processes, is contingent on entropy production. Entropy production is a measure of the rate of the tendency of Nature to explore available microstates. The most important irreversible process generating entropy in the biosphere and, thus, facilitating this exploration, is the absorption and transformation of sunlight into heat. Here we hypothesize that life began, and persists today, as a catalyst for the absorption and dissipation of sunlight on the surface of Archean seas. The resulting heat could then be efficiently harvested by other irreversible processes such as the water cycle, hurricanes, and ocean and wind currents. RNA and DNA are the most efficient of all known molecules for absorbing the intense ultraviolet light that penetrated the dense early atmosphere and are remarkably rapid in transforming this light into heat in the presence of liquid water. From this perspective, the origin and evolution of life, inseparable from water and the water cycle, can be understood as resulting from the natural thermodynamic imperative of increasing the entropy production of the Earth in its interaction with its solar environment. A mechanism is proposed for the reproduction of RNA and DNA without the need for enzymes, promoted instead through UV light dissipation and diurnal temperature cycling of the Archean sea-surface.

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Section: Ambient Conditions Of Insipient Lifementioning

confidence: 99%

Thermodynamic dissipation theory for the origin of life

Michaelian

2011

Earth Syst. Dynam.

168

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“…Indeed, a detailed study by Martin et al (2009) finds that the lethality distance was of order ten times smaller (that is ∼200 pc) in the Archean eon and Early Proterozoic era (3.8 to 2.5 billion years ago) when Earth's atmospheric oxygen content was some 10 −5 times smaller than at present. The specific mechanism studied by Martin et al (2009) relates to the UV flash emission (typically lasting about 10 seconds) derived from the interaction of primary γ -and X-ray radiation with atmospheric oxygen. Theses authors asses the effects of such a UV burst in terms of the daily equivalent of solar UV at the same wavelengths, and assume (following Thomas et al 2005) that a factor of two or larger increase will be lethal to surface dwelling biota (e.g., in the Archian, cyanobacteria).…”

Section: The Supernova Hazardmentioning

confidence: 98%

The past, present and future supernova threat to Earth’s biosphere

Beech¹

2011

Astrophys Space Sci

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A brief review of the threat posed to Earth's biosphere via near-by supernova detonations is presented. The expected radiation dosage, cosmic ray flux and expanding blast wave collision effects are considered, and it is argued that a typical supernova must be closer than ∼10-pc before any appreciable and potentially harmful atmosphere/biosphere effects are likely to occur. In contrast, the critical distance for Gamma-ray bursts is of order 1-kpc. In spite of the high energy effects potentially involved, the geological record provides no clear-cut evidence for any historic supernova induced mass extinctions and/or strong climate change episodes. This, however, is mostly a reflection of their being numerous possible (terrestrial and astronomical) forcing mechanisms acting upon the biosphere and the difficulty of distinguishing between competing scenarios. Key to resolving this situation, it is suggested, is the development of supernova specific extinction and climate change linked ecological models. Moving to the future, we estimate that over the remaining lifetime of the biosphere (∼2 Gyr) the Earth might experience 1 GRB and 20 supernova detonations within their respective harmful threat ranges. There are currently at least 12 potential pre-supernova systems within 1-kpc of the Sun. Of these systems IK Pegasi is the closest Type Ia pre-supernova candidate and Betelgeuse is the closest potential Type II supernova candidate. We review in some detail the past, present and future behavior of these two systems. Developing a detailed evolutionary model we find that IK Pegasi will likely not detonate until some 1.9 billion years hence, and that it affords absolutely no threat to Earth's M. Beech ( )

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“…Using Equations (11), (12) and (18) we get: Several of us have studied the potential effects of a galactic gamma ray burst on planetary atmospheres and biospheres [9][10][11][12][13]. The main effects we consider here are 20% ozone depletion (leading to increased UV at planetary surface) and global cooling.…”

Section: Calibration Of the Aquatic Primary Habitability Indexmentioning

confidence: 99%