Stage 2: Creating a hospitable atmosphere for human habitation
Geological records show that there was very little oxygen present in Earth's atmosphere more than 2 billion years ago. Older rocks that formed more than 2 billion years ago (e.g. lead sulfide) could only have formed in the absence of oxygen. Rocks that have formed more recently (e.g. lead sulfate), less than 2 billion years ago, could only have formed in the presence of oxygen.
As a result of your work on heating the planet's surface, the temperature and carbon dioxide levels are now in a suitable range to support a few hardy species of plants.
Consider the following questions:
- Given that by this stage temperatures are high enough for water to exist in liquid form (and probably have created vast oceans), what implications could this have for maintaining adequate, balanced levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
- What happens when carbon dioxide dissolves in water and acts with silicate rock? How would this affect carbon cycling?
- What measures could you introduce to recycle carbon dioxide in order to maintain adequate levels to maintain global temperatures and adequate atmospheric concentrations for photosynthesis?
- What would happen to the ozone layer as oxygen levels increase?
- Why is the ozone layer important?
Your task:
Create a balanced atmosphere that is suitable for humans to live in. In order to complete this phase of operations you were required to have several living organisms transported to Mars before you left Earth.
- What 5 organisms would you have sent to Mars to assist you?
- What practical purpose does each of these serve?
Complete your log book below.
Also be sure to add any useful information to the forum. Each person will be required to add one useful piece of information to each topic.
As a result of your work on heating the planet's surface, the temperature and carbon dioxide levels are now in a suitable range to support a few hardy species of plants.
Consider the following questions:
- Given that by this stage temperatures are high enough for water to exist in liquid form (and probably have created vast oceans), what implications could this have for maintaining adequate, balanced levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
- What happens when carbon dioxide dissolves in water and acts with silicate rock? How would this affect carbon cycling?
- What measures could you introduce to recycle carbon dioxide in order to maintain adequate levels to maintain global temperatures and adequate atmospheric concentrations for photosynthesis?
- What would happen to the ozone layer as oxygen levels increase?
- Why is the ozone layer important?
Your task:
Create a balanced atmosphere that is suitable for humans to live in. In order to complete this phase of operations you were required to have several living organisms transported to Mars before you left Earth.
- What 5 organisms would you have sent to Mars to assist you?
- What practical purpose does each of these serve?
Complete your log book below.
Also be sure to add any useful information to the forum. Each person will be required to add one useful piece of information to each topic.
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mars_log_2.docx | |
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