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The History of the UV Radiation Climate of the Earth-Theoretical and Space-based Observations¶

2007; Wiley; Volume: 73; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1562/0031-8655(2001)0730447thotur2.0.co2

1751-1097

Charles S. Cockell, G. Horneck,

Astro and Planetary Science

Photochemistry and PhotobiologyVolume 73, Issue 4 p. 447-451 The History of the UV Radiation Climate of the Earth—Theoretical and Space-based Observations¶ Charles S. Cockell, Corresponding Author British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, UK*To whom correspondence should be addressed at: British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK.Search for more papers by this authorGerda Horneck, German Aerospace Center, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, GermanySearch for more papers by this author Charles S. Cockell, Corresponding Author British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, UK*To whom correspondence should be addressed at: British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK.Search for more papers by this authorGerda Horneck, German Aerospace Center, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, GermanySearch for more papers by this author First published: 01 May 2007 https://doi.org/10.1562/0031-8655(2001)0730447THOTUR2.0.CO2Citations: 12 ¶ Posted on the website on 6 March 2001. AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat ABSTRACT In the Archean era (3.8–2.5 Ga ago) the Earth probably lacked a protective ozone column. Using data obtained in the Earth's orbit on the inactivation of Bacillus subtilis spores we quantitatively estimate the potential biological effects of such an environment. We combine this practical data with theoretical calculations to propose a history of the potential UV stress on the surface of the Earth over time. The data suggest that an effective ozone column was established at a pO2 of ∼5 × 10−3 present atmospheric level. The improvement in the UV environment on the early Proterozoic Earth might have been a much more rapid event than has previously been supposed, with DNA damage rates dropping by two orders of magnitude in the space of just a few tens of millions of years. We postulate that a coupling between reduced UV stress and increased pO2 production could have contributed toward a positive feedback in the production of ozone in the early Proterozoic atmosphere. This would contribute to the apparent rapidity of the oxidation event. The data provide an evolutionary perspective on present-day Antarctic ozone depletion. Citing Literature Volume73, Issue4April 2001Pages 447-451 RelatedInformation