The Journey of Life on Earth: From Inception to Future Sustainability
The Journey of Life on Earth: From Inception to Future Sustainability
Unlocking the mysteries of life's origin, all organisms trace their roots back to living cells. While determining the exact emergence of the first cells remains challenging, geological estimates point to at least 3.8 billion years ago. The question arises: how has life evolved on Earth since the advent of the first cell, and what does the future hold for life on our planet? Join us on a journey to explore the timeline of life on Earth and contemplate the ongoing and future existence of life on this unique celestial body.
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Approximately 200 billion tons of carbon are absorbed annually through a process known as primary production.
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The primary contributor to this effort today is oxygenic photosynthesis, where sunlight and water play fundamental roles.
When it comes to primary production, the isotopic composition of oxygen in the sulfate form in ancient salt beds allows for such estimates.
The results of this productivity count lead us to estimate that 100 sextillion (or 100 billion trillion) tons of carbon have undergone primary production since the inception of life.
By determining the amount of primary production that has occurred so far and identifying which organisms were responsible, we have been able to estimate how much life has existed on Earth.
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Beyond the ability to move Earth into orbit around a younger star, the lifespan of Earth's biosphere is limited.
In the very distant future, around two billion years from now, all biogeochemical safety measures that make Earth habitable will be pushed to their limits.
However, until that time, how much life will Earth host throughout its habitable lifespan?
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