Hospitable Archean Climates Simulated by a General Circulation Model

Wolf, E.T.; Toon, O.B.

doi:10.1089/ast.2012.0936

Cited by 143Paleontology and Stratigraphy of FossilsGeology and Paleoclimatology ResearchEarth Systems and Cosmic Evolution

Hospitable Archean Climates Simulated by a General Circulation Model

Wolf, E.T., Toon, O.B.·2013·Astrobiology

DOI 10.1089/ast.2012.0936

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Abstract

Evidence from ancient sediments indicates that liquid water and primitive life were present during the Archean despite the faint young Sun. To date, studies of Archean climate typically utilize simplified one-dimensional models that ignore clouds and ice. Here, we use an atmospheric general circulation model coupled to a mixed-layer ocean model to simulate the climate circa 2.8 billion years ago when the Sun was 20% dimmer than it is today. Surface properties are assumed to be equal to those of the present day, while ocean heat transport varies as a function of sea ice extent. Present climate is duplicated with 0.06 bar of CO2 or alternatively with 0.02 bar of CO2 and 0.001 bar of CH4. Hot Archean climates, as implied by some isotopic reconstructions of ancient marine cherts, are unattainable even in our warmest simulation having 0.2 bar of CO2 and 0.001 bar of CH4. However, cooler climates with significant polar ice, but still dominated by open ocean, can be maintained with modest greenhouse gas amounts, posing no contradiction with CO2 constraints deduced from paleosols or with practical limitations on CH4 due to the formation of optically thick organic hazes. Our results indicate that a weak version of the faint young Sun paradox, requiring only that some portion of the planet's surface maintain liquid water, may be resolved with moderate greenhouse gas inventories. Thus, hospitable late Archean climates are easily obtained in our climate model.

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Three-dimensional climate models with a lower solar flux produce weaker evaporation and fewer low clouds, but a strong greenhouse effect is still required because the albedo decrease is small.
“Three-dimensional climate models with a lower solar flux produce weaker evaporation and fewer low clouds, but a strong greenhouse effect is still required because the albedo decrease is small (212, 213).”
From The Archean atmosphere (2020) · cites this paper as [213]
A faster Archean rotation rate reduces heat transport from equator to pole, particularly if the atmosphere had less mass.
“In general, a faster Archean rotation rate reduces heat transport from equator to pole (212, 213), particularly if the atmosphere had less mass (248).”
From The Archean atmosphere (2020) · cites this paper as [213]

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Authors: Wolf, E. T., & Toon, O. B.
Affiliations: University of Colorado Boulder (US)
ORCID: Wolf, E.T.
Toon, O.B.
Venue: Astrobiology
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Published: 2013-07
Volume: 13
Issue: 7
Pages: 656-673
ISSN: 1531-1074 (ISSN-L)
1557-8070
DOI: 10.1089/ast.2012.0936
OpenAlex: W2040202358
Cited by: 143
References: 83
Citations by year: 2026: 5 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 35 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 5
FWCI: 5.42
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: Astrobiology (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders: National Science Foundation
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
National Center for Atmospheric Research
University of Colorado Boulder
Topics: Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Paleontology › Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils
Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Atmospheric Science › Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Atmospheric Science › Earth Systems and Cosmic Evolution
Keywords: faint young Sun paradox, greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide, methane, sea ice, mixed layer ocean model, atmospheric general circulation model, liquid water, early life, organic haze, paleosols
MeSH terms: Archaea, Climate, Models, Theoretical, Temperature

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Hospitable Archean Climates Simulated by a General Circulation Model

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