Dynamics of the chemical evolution of Earth's primitive atmosphere |
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| Authors: | A Bar-Nun A Shaviv |
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| Institution: | Department of Physical Chemistry, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel |
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| Abstract: | The course of evolution of Earth's primitive reducing atmosphere is shown to possibly have been determined to a large extent by the effect of thunder shock waves, which is comparable to the effect of solar uv radiation. The major chemical reactions occurring during a thunderstorm in the troposphere were pyrolysis of hydrocarbons, their oxidation by water vapor and their reaction with molecular nitrogen. These reactions were studied by the single-pulse shock tube technique and their rates as well as their product distributions were determined.The greenhouse effect of water vapor and acetylene enhanced oxidation by water vapor and prevented the accumulation of large graphite and polymer deposits on the Earth's surface. This is in accordance with their absence on the contemporary Earth. Changes in the frequency and power of thunderstorms, within reasonable limits, affected the rate of evolution but caused only small changes in the concentration profiles of HCN and aldehydes, which are essential for further chemical evolution in the oceans. The surface temperature and relative hydrogen concentration are shown to be of prime importance in determining the course and outcome of atmospheric evolution. |
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