ISSN:
1573-1480
Quelle:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Thema:
Geologie und Paläontologie
,
Physik
Notizen:
Abstract Models of the climatic perturbation caused by a large scale extraterrestrial impact predict an injection of dust into the stratosphere. This would cause the onset of environmental conditions whose two principal characteristics are a prolonged period of darkness and reduced global temperatures. Similar scenarios follow large scale volcanic eruptions, wildfires and they are predicted for a nuclear winter following a protracted nuclear exchange. A significant drop in temperature and solar insolation are also characteristics of the polar winter. In this paper the onset and emergence from the polar winter is examined as a potential biological framework for studying immediate biological effects following transition into and out of a dark/cold catastrophe. Limitations of the conceptual model, particularly with respect to the fact that polar organisms are well adapted to a regular and severe dark/cold climatic change (which the rest of the Earth's biota is not) are discussed. The model has implications for the poles as an extinction refuge during such climatic changes.
Materialart:
Digitale Medien
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1005465513592
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