Short-term effects of gamma ray bursts on oceanic photosynthesis

Liuba Peñate*, Osmel Martín, Rolando Cárdenas, Susana Agusti

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

We continue our previous work on the potential short-term influence of a gamma ray bursts on Earth's biosphere, focusing on the only important short-term effect on life: the ultraviolet flash which occurs as a result of the retransmission of the γ radiation through the atmosphere. Thus, in this work we calculate the ultraviolet irradiances penetrating the first hundred meters of the water column, for Jerlov's ocean water types I, II and III. Then we estimate the UV flash potential for photosynthesis inhibition in the whole photic zone, showing that it can be important in the first tens of meters of the water column.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)211-217
Number of pages7
JournalAstrophysics and Space Science
Volume330
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 4 2010

Keywords

  • Gamma ray bursts
  • Oceanic photosynthesis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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