Modeling the onset of photosynthesis after the Chicxulub asteroid impact
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Fecha
2013
Autores
Pérez Díaz, Noel
Cárdenas Ortiz, Rolando Pedro
Martín González, Osmel
Rojas Consuegra, Reinaldo
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Resumen
We do a preliminary modelling of the photosynthetic rates of phytoplankton at the very beginning of the
Paleogene, just after the impact of the Chicxulub asteroid, which decisively contributed to the last known mass extinction of the Phanerozoic eon. We assume the worst possible scenario from the photobiological point of view: an already clear atmosphere with no ozone, as the timescale for
soot and dust settling (years) is smaller than that of the full ozone regeneration (decades). Even in these conditions we show that most phytoplankton species would have had reasonable potential for photosynthesis in all the three main optical ocean water types. This modelling could help explain why the recovery of phytoplankton was relatively rapid after the huge environmental stress of that asteroid impact. In a more general scope, it also reminds us of the great resilience of the unicellular biosphere against huge environmental perturbations.
Descripción
Palabras clave
Asteroid, Impact, Photosynthesis
Citación
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