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Fixation of nitrogen in the prebiotic atmosphereReactions between nitrogen and water in the air surrounding lightning discharges can provide an important source of nitric oxide even under conditions where oxygen is a minor atmospheric constituent. Estimates are given for the associated source of soluble nitrite and nitrate. It is shown that lightning and subsequent atmospheric chemistry can provide a source of nitrate for the primitive ocean as large as one million tons of nitrogen per year, sufficient to fill the ocean to its present level of nitrate in less than one million years.
Document ID
19790042153
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Yung, Y. L.
(California Institute of Technology Pasadena, Calif., United States)
Mcelroy, M. B.
(Harvard University Cambridge, Mass., United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
March 9, 1979
Publication Information
Publication: Science
Volume: 203
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
79A26166
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF ATM-75-22723
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-7376
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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