HCN Production via Impact Ejecta Reentry During the Late Heavy Bombardment
Abstract
Major impact events have shaped the Earth as we know it. The Late Heavy Bombardment is of particular interest because it immediately precedes the first evidence of life. The reentry of impact ejecta creates numerous chemical by‐products, including biotic precursors such as HCN. This work examines the production of HCN during the Late Heavy Bombardment in more detail. We stochastically simulate the range of impacts on the early Earth and use models developed from existing studies to predict the corresponding ejecta properties. Using multiphase flow methods and finite‐rate equilibrium chemistry, we then find the HCN production due to the resulting atmospheric heating. We use Direct Simulation Monte Carlo to develop a correction factor to account for increased yields due to thermochemical nonequilibrium. We then model 1‐D atmospheric turbulent diffusion to find the time accurate transport of HCN to lower altitudes and ultimately surface water. Existing works estimate the necessary HCN molarity threshold to promote polymerization that is 0.01 M. For a mixing depth of 100 m, we find that the Late Heavy Bombardment will produce at least one impact event above this threshold with probability 24.1% for an oxidized atmosphere and 56.3% for a partially reduced atmosphere. For a mixing depth of 10 m, the probability is 79.5% for an oxidized atmosphere and 96.9% for a partially reduced atmosphere. Therefore, Late Heavy Bombardment impact ejecta is likely an HCN source sufficient for polymerization in shallow bodies of water, particularly if the atmosphere were in a partially reduced state.
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HCN is more stable photochemically than NH3.
“Another nitrogen-bearing gas, hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is more stable photochemically than NH3 and made in reducing atmospheres by lightning, impacts (164, 165), or UV-driven photochemistry.”
From The Archean atmosphere (2020) · cites this paper as [165]
HCN is made in reducing atmospheres by lightning, impacts, or UV-driven photochemistry.
“Another nitrogen-bearing gas, hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is more stable photochemically than NH3 and made in reducing atmospheres by lightning, impacts (164, 165), or UV-driven photochemistry.”
From The Archean atmosphere (2020) · cites this paper as [165]
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- Authors
- Parkos, D., Pikus, A., Alexeenko, A., & Melosh, H. J.
- Affiliations
- Purdue University West Lafayette (US)
- Corresponding author
- Parkos, Devon
- Venue
- Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets
- Publisher
- American Geophysical Union (AGU)
- Published
- 2018-04
- Volume
- 123
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 892-909
- ISSN
- 2169-9097 (ISSN-L)
- 2169-9100
- OpenAlex
- W2790914450
- Cited by
- 42
- References
- 66
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 6
- FWCI
- 2.42
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Geophysical Research Planets (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Science Foundation (DGE-1333468)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Origins and Evolution of Life
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Astro and Planetary Science
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
- Keywords
- hydrogen cyanide, Late Heavy Bombardment, impact ejecta, early Earth, prebiotic chemistry, atmospheric heating, thermochemical nonequilibrium, atmospheric mixing, atmospheric composition, reducing atmosphere, origin of life
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