Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2008-04-22
Astrobiology, vol. 8, no. 4, 2008
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
This version is a longer, more detailed draft of an article submitted to the journal Astrobiology
Scientific paper
10.1089/ast.2007.0262
It is known that amphibians are especially susceptible to the combination of heightened UVB radiation and increased nitrate concentrations. Various astrophysical events have been suggested as sources of ionizing radiation that could pose a threat to life on Earth, through destruction of the ozone layer and subsequent increase in UVB, followed by deposition of nitrate. In this study, we investigate whether the nitrate deposition following an ionizing event is sufficiently large to cause an additional stress beyond that of the heightened UVB previously considered. We have converted predicted nitrate depositions to concentration values, utilizing data from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Acid Rain Monitoring Network web site. Our results show that the increase in nitrate concentration in bodies of water following the most intense ionization event likely in the last billion years would not be sufficient to cause a serious additional stress on amphibian populations and may actually provide some benefit by acting as fertilizer.
Honeyman Michelle D.
Thomas Brian C.
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