Fractal Organic Hazes Provided an Ultraviolet Shield for Early Earth

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

doi:10.1126/science.1183260

Cited by 172Origins and Evolution of LifePaleontology and Stratigraphy of FossilsAstro and Planetary Science

Fractal Organic Hazes Provided an Ultraviolet Shield for Early Earth

Wolf, E. T., Toon, O. B.·2010·Science

DOI 10.1126/science.1183260

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Abstract

The Archean Earth (3.8 to 2.5 billion years ago) was probably enshrouded by a photochemical haze composed of fractal aggregate hydrocarbon aerosols. The fractal structure of the aerosols would have had a strong effect on the radiative properties of the haze. In this study, a fractal aggregate haze was found to be optically thick in the ultraviolet wavelengths while remaining relatively transparent in the mid-visible wavelengths. At an annual production rate of 10(14) grams per year and an average monomer radius of 50 nanometers, the haze would have provided a strong shield against ultraviolet light while causing only minimal antigreenhouse cooling.

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A cooling limit exists because as a haze becomes more UV absorbing, it shields CH4 molecules from the photolysis needed for further haze formation.
“A cooling limit exists because as a haze becomes more UV absorbing, it shields CH4 molecules from the photolysis needed for further haze formation.”
From The Archean atmosphere (2020) · cites this paper as [163]
Whether this shielding occurred depends on whether hazes existed and on the size and radiative properties of haze particles, which remain uncertain.
“However, whether this shielding actually occurred depends on whether hazes actually existed and on the size and radiative properties of haze particles, which remain uncertain (1, 163).”
From The Archean atmosphere (2020) · cites this paper as [163]
Attenuation of sunlight saturates.
“Thus, attenuation of sunlight saturates (1, 163).”
From The Archean atmosphere (2020) · cites this paper as [163]

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a Fractal Aggregate Model of Early Earth Organic Hazes: UV Shielding with Minimal Antigreenhouse Cooling
Wolf, E. T., & Toon, O. B. (2010) · AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
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Self-citation

Authors: Wolf, E. T., & Toon, O. B.
Affiliations: University of Colorado Boulder (US)
ORCID: Wolf, E. T.
Toon, O. B.
Venue: Science
Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Published: 2010-06-04
Volume: 328
Issue: 5983
Pages: 1266-1268
ISSN: 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
1095-9203
DOI: 10.1126/science.1183260
OpenAlex: W2078652111
Cited by: 172
References: 23
Citations by year: 2026: 2 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 15 · 2012: 11
FWCI: 5.95
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: Science (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Origins and Evolution of Life
Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Paleontology › Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils
Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Astro and Planetary Science
Keywords: early Earth atmosphere, organic haze, fractal aggregates, UV protection, photochemical haze, radiative properties, optical depth, greenhouse effect

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Fractal Organic Hazes Provided an Ultraviolet Shield for Early Earth

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