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

Publication ,  Journal Article
Chameides, WL; Walker, JC
Published in: Origins of life
December 1981

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 CH4, CO2, CO, N2, H2, and H2O 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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Published In

Origins of life

DOI

ISSN

0302-1688

Publication Date

December 1981

Volume

11

Issue

4

Start / End Page

291 / 302

Related Subject Headings

  • Thermodynamics
  • Oxygen
  • Nitroso Compounds
  • Nitrogen Fixation
  • Nitrogen
  • Models, Biological
  • Lightning
  • Kinetics
  • Hydrogen Cyanide
  • Hydrogen
 

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Chameides, W. L., & Walker, J. C. (1981). Rates of fixation by lightning of carbon and nitrogen in possible primitive atmospheres. Origins of Life, 11(4), 291–302. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00931483
Chameides, W. L., and J. C. Walker. “Rates of fixation by lightning of carbon and nitrogen in possible primitive atmospheres.Origins of Life 11, no. 4 (December 1981): 291–302. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00931483.
Chameides WL, Walker JC. Rates of fixation by lightning of carbon and nitrogen in possible primitive atmospheres. Origins of life. 1981 Dec;11(4):291–302.
Chameides, W. L., and J. C. Walker. “Rates of fixation by lightning of carbon and nitrogen in possible primitive atmospheres.Origins of Life, vol. 11, no. 4, Dec. 1981, pp. 291–302. Epmc, doi:10.1007/bf00931483.
Chameides WL, Walker JC. Rates of fixation by lightning of carbon and nitrogen in possible primitive atmospheres. Origins of life. 1981 Dec;11(4):291–302.

Published In

Origins of life

DOI

ISSN

0302-1688

Publication Date

December 1981

Volume

11

Issue

4

Start / End Page

291 / 302

Related Subject Headings

  • Thermodynamics
  • Oxygen
  • Nitroso Compounds
  • Nitrogen Fixation
  • Nitrogen
  • Models, Biological
  • Lightning
  • Kinetics
  • Hydrogen Cyanide
  • Hydrogen