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Around 2.3 billion years ago, a poisonous gas began to build up in the earth's atmosphere.

by Joe Mobley
11 replies
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As a follow-on to lanfear63's thread, http://www.warriorforum.com/off-topi...t-evolved.html, I did some research on an event in earth's history that I found interesting.

Around 2.3 billion years ago, a poisonous gas began to build up in the earth's atmosphere.

This gas wiped out most of the planets life forms at the time.

This gas combined with other gases and triggered the Huronian glaciation.

This gas was created by Cyanobacteria, which is still on the planet today.

This event was so significant that it is known as:

The [XXX] Catastrophe.

[XXX] Crisis.

Great [XXX] Event

Without looking, can you name the gas?

Take your best guess then look here.

Joe Mobley
  • Profile picture of the author Karen Blundell
    I didn't look - my guess is methane?

    and I would be WRONG - because I looked...
    wow - that was interesting!
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    Well, I was thinking ammonia, since that was the theory so long ago that there was a lot of ammonia, etc... The fact is that ammonia and oxygen are BOTH needed for life, and BOTH are deadly poisons. So we have to breath an atmosphere that is maybe 20% oxygen, and eat things that are maybe close to 20% things that degrade to ammonia. And we have to take chemicals that help prevent degradation from the oxygen, and have kidneys that spend most of their time removing ammonia products.

    It just goes to show how tight a balance there is.

    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author WalkingCarpet
    Banned
    Originally Posted by Joe Mobley View Post

    Around 2.3 billion years ago, a poisonous gas began to build up in the earth's atmosphere.
    Joseph was around even then? OMG.
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    I already know this one so can't comment yet. I am just watching to see when the Claude flatulence jokes start.
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    Sal
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  • Profile picture of the author whateverpedia
    I took a wild guess and it turned out right. An interesting read.
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  • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
    Originally Posted by Joe Mobley View Post

    As a follow-on to lanfear63's thread, http://www.warriorforum.com/off-topi...t-evolved.html, I did some research on an event in earth's history that I found interesting.

    Around 2.3 billion years ago, a poisonous gas began to build up in the earth's atmosphere.

    This gas wiped out most of the planets life forms at the time.

    This gas combined with other gases and triggered the Huronian glaciation.

    This gas was created by Cyanobacteria, which is still on the planet today.

    This event was so significant that it is known as:

    The [XXX] Catastrophe.

    [XXX] Crisis.

    Great [XXX] Event

    Without looking, can you name the gas?

    Take your best guess then look here.

    Joe Mobley
    Oxygen? I'm pretty sure, that's right.
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    One Call Closing book https://www.amazon.com/One-Call-Clos...=1527788418&sr

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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    That's right, but the molecules at first were doubled O2 instead of just O.

    What I was waiting to ponder on was the fact that we are finding water on a lot of planets - but it's not the really the same as here even though it's still hydrogen water - it's complex (denser) than water we drink just like this oxygen was denser.

    Mars has such complex water, but might be broken down to regular H20 if it flows through some of the planetary elements. A lot of iron in that soil so still might not be drinkable, but you get the drift of where I'm going with this, I'm sure.

    Anyhow, with our oxygen now in depletion, I wonder what will evolve that breathes what.
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    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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    • Profile picture of the author seasoned
      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

      That's right, but the molecules at first were doubled O2 instead of just O.

      What I was waiting to ponder on was the fact that we are finding water on a lot of planets - but it's not the really the same as here even though it's still hydrogen water - it's complex (denser) than water we drink just like this oxygen was denser.

      Mars has such complex water, but might be broken down to regular H20 if it flows through some of the planetary elements. A lot of iron in that soil so still might not be drinkable, but you get the drift of where I'm going with this, I'm sure.

      Anyhow, with our oxygen now in depletion, I wonder what will evolve that breathes what.
      Actually, I think, oxygen needs to bond with SOMETHING, and bonding with ONE other oxygen atom is about the easiest thing. Does a single oxygen atom even exist unbounded? I mean an incomplete burning of a carbon product CAN yield a single oxygen atom WITH a carbon atom. Too much heat CAN cause hydrogen to explode and leave one oxygen molecule WITH 2 hydrogen atoms. And SOMETIMES, like if present around a spark, oxygen can bond with TWO other oxygen atoms, and become OZONE.

      As for mars, supposedly it has more iron than the earth, and it is red NOT because of iron, but because of Ferris oxide! THAT is important, because it shows it WAS earlier exposed to oxygen, and is another way oxygen could SEEM to disappear.

      Still, the air on earth has a lot of oxygen in it. If people are exposed to too much oxygen, it could be bad. And look at all the fires we have. You think THEY are bad? Increase the oxygen by another 5%, and they will likely be noticeably worse. The oxygen meters they use in the hospital apparently only go up to like 99%, and numbers above 94 are considered good. It apparently isn't unusual for a person to hit 97%. Anyway, their goal is 94%-98%. So if you think the earth is that bad off THERE, you're wrong.

      https://www.brit-thoracic.org.uk/doc...nts-guideline/

      I chose this only because it specifies an actual goal. They have TWO goals listed. 88%-92% in the WORST cases, where you know they will be a problem, as it DOES depend on lung capability and effort. The ultimate goal in the best cases is 94-98% EVEN for pregnant women.

      All other things being equal, if the lungs could handle it, and the blood could handle it, a mere 5% increase in oxygen would have many breathing off the charts! Of course, the blood can't handle it, and the lungs might not be able to either, but then a 5% increase would mean nothing good for us. And the oceans are saturated pretty well ALSO, so the fish are usually safe.

      Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

      That's right, but the molecules at first were doubled O2 instead of just O.
      Two atoms of Oxygen make up a molecule of Oxygen. It's always been that way.
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      One Call Closing book https://www.amazon.com/One-Call-Clos...=1527788418&sr

      What if they're not stars? What if they are holes poked in the top of a container so we can breath?
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