Earth's oxygen future is in danger: Scientists provide a date

The future of oxygen levels on Earth has been brought back to the agenda by a joint study from NASA and Japanese scientists.

According to the research, our planet's oxygen-rich atmosphere could come to an end much sooner than previously thought.

This means that while the atmosphere that makes life possible will collapse within a billion years, the first signs of this process could be seen within 10 thousand years.

CAUSES OF ATMOSPHERIC CHANGES

The study, led by Christopher Reinhard of the Georgia Institute of Technology and Kazumi Ozaki of Toho University, predicts that the Sun becoming increasingly brighter and hotter will reduce the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.

This reduction will limit the CO² necessary for photosynthesis, threatening the survival of plants.

With the disappearance of plants, oxygen production will cease, which will lead to the loss of the ozone layer and make it easier for ultraviolet radiation to reach the surface.

THE "GREAT DEOXYGENATION" PROCESS

Another important point highlighted by the research is that the atmosphere will take on a toxic structure with high methane levels, low carbon dioxide ratios, and almost no ozone. This transformation will initiate a process that scientists call the "Great Deoxygenation." It is stated that in such an atmosphere, oxygen-breathing organisms will not be able to survive, and only microorganisms that can live in oxygen-free environments will be able to persist.

These findings offer important clues about how Earth's future atmospheric conditions will affect life and raise serious concerns regarding the long-term sustainability of our planet.

News Source: 12punto