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Perturbations to aquatic photosynthesis due to high-energy cosmic ray induced muon flux in the extragalactic shock model

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 June 2013

Lien Rodriguez ,
Rolando Cardenas  and
Oscar Rodriguez
Lien Rodriguez
Affiliation:
Planetary Science Lab, Department of Physics, Universidad Central ‘Marta Abreu’ de Las Villas, Santa Clara, Cuba e-mail: [email protected]
Rolando Cardenas
Affiliation:
Planetary Science Lab, Department of Physics, Universidad Central ‘Marta Abreu’ de Las Villas, Santa Clara, Cuba e-mail: [email protected]
Oscar Rodriguez
Affiliation:
Instituto Superior de Tecnologías y Ciencias Aplicadas, Havana, Cuba
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Abstract

We modify a mathematical model of photosynthesis to quantify the perturbations that high energy muons could make on aquatic primary productivity. Then, we apply this in the context of the extragalactic shock model, according to which Earth receives an enhanced dose of high-energy cosmic rays when it is at the galactic north. We obtain considerable reduction in the photosynthesis rates, consistent with potential drops in biodiversity.

Keywords

photosynthesismuonsextragalactic shock model
Type
Research Article
Information
International Journal of Astrobiology , Volume 12 , Issue 4 , October 2013 , pp. 326 - 330
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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