Jagged Environment
Hydrocarbon oxidation
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Jagged EnvironmentHydrocarbon oxidation |
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Mass extinctions |
Since simple hydrocarbons (as found in oil) are relatively inert to oxygen under normal conditions - how could the antioxidants and lipids have been formed by hydrocarbon oxidation? The agent of this change is likely to be radiation, levels of which would have been far higher than is the case now because large quantities of radioactive elements present in the Earth’s interior have by now decayed, and are inactive. The remaining quantity is, nonetheless, still very large. Exposure of hydrocarbons, including oil-fractions, to radiation in the presence of oxygen is well known to promote oxidation of their molecules, forming lipid-like (acids) and other oxidised molecules which can function as antioxidants, to protect other hydrocarbon molecules from oxidation. One can reasonably speculate that the rate of Evolution was forced in more radioactive regions of the earth, and perhaps this is where we should seek out any present manifestation of co-operating clay-cells and hence primitive organic life. Copyright © 2001 Chris James Last updated 12 March, 2005 |
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