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Modeling pN2 through Geological Time: Implications for Planetary Climates and Atmospheric Biosignatures
E E Stüeken1,2,3,4, M A Kipp1,4, M C Koehler1,4
11 Department of Earth and Space Sciences and Astrobiology Program, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington, USA .
Astrobiology
|December 2, 2016
Summary
Life
Area of Science:
- Astrobiology
- Geochemistry
- Planetary Science
Background:
- Nitrogen is essential for life on Earth and potentially other planets.
- Atmospheric nitrogen (N2) levels may have varied significantly throughout Earth's history.
- Low nitrogen levels in the Neoarchean are hypothesized to be biologically driven.
Purpose of the Study:
- To model conditions causing significant atmospheric N2 pressure fluctuations.
- To investigate the impact of parameters on atmospheric N2 evolution.
- To explore implications for extraterrestrial nitrogen cycling and biosignatures.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a biogeochemical box model with parameters from modern Earth and deep-time reconstructions.
- Incorporated a 1-D climate model to assess temperature effects.
- Perturbed model parameters to identify key drivers of atmospheric N2 changes.
Main Results:
- High biomass burial rates in the Archean could have reduced atmospheric N2 by over 50%.
- Climate effects of low N2 might have been offset by increased solar luminosity and CO2.
- Atmospheric oxygenation could have triggered N2 recovery via oxidative weathering.
Conclusions:
- Biological activity is likely essential for substantial atmospheric N2 swings on Earth-like planets.
- An exoplanetary atmosphere rich in both N2 and O2 may indicate an oxygen-producing biosphere.
- Nitrogen cycling plays a critical role in planetary habitability and biosignature detection.
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