Abstract A thermochemical-hydrodynamic model of the production of trace species by electrical discharges has been used to estimate the rates of fixation of C and N by lightning in the primitive atmosphere. Calculations for various possible mixtures of $ CH_{4} $, $ CO_{2} $, $ N_{2} $, $ H_{2} $, and $ H_{2} $O reveal that the prime species produced were probably HCN and NO and that the key parameter determining the rates of fixation was the ratio of C atoms to O atoms in the atmosphere. Atmospheres with C more abundant than O have large HCN fixation rates, in excess of $ 10^{17} $ molecules $ J^{−1} $, but small NO yields. However, when O is more abundant than C, the NO fixation rate approaches $ 10^{17} $ molecules $ J^{−1} $ while the HCN yield is small. The implications for the evolution of life are discussed.


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    Title :

    Rates of fixation by lightning of carbon and nitrogen in possible primitive atmospheres


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    1981




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English



    Classification :

    Local classification TIB:    535/3908/4290
    BKL:    44.71 Verkehrsmedizin