Effects of gamma ray bursts in Earth’s biosphere

• Published in: Astrophysics and space science Vol. 326; no. 1; pp. 61 - 67
• Main Authors: Martin, Osmel, Cardenas, Rolando, Guimarais, Mayrene, Peñate, Liuba, Horvath, Jorge, Galante, Douglas
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.03.2010; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Astrobiology; Astronomy; Astrophysics; Astrophysics and Astroparticles; Biosphere; Cosmology; Earth; Ecosystems; Gamma rays; Observations and Techniques; Original Article; Ozone depletion; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Space Exploration and Astronautics; Space Sciences (including Extraterrestrial Physics; Stratosphere; Terrestrial ecosystems; Biosphere; Gamma ray burst; Regime shift; Ecosystems
• ISSN: 0004-640X; 1572-946X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10509-009-0211-7

We continue former work on the modeling of potential effects of Gamma Ray Bursts on Phanerozoic Earth. We focus on global biospheric effects of ozone depletion and model the spectral reduction of light by NO 2 formed in the stratosphere. We also illustrate the current complexities involved in the prediction of how terrestrial ecosystems would respond to this kind of burst. We conclude that more biological field and laboratory data are needed to reach even moderate accuracy in this modeling.