Short-term effects of Gamma Ray Bursts on oceanic photosynthesis

TL;DR

This paper investigates the short-term impact of gamma ray bursts on oceanic photosynthesis by calculating UV irradiance levels in different water types and assessing their potential to inhibit photosynthesis in the photic zone.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed calculation of UV flash effects on ocean water columns following gamma ray bursts, highlighting potential biological impacts.

Findings

UV irradiance can significantly inhibit photosynthesis in the photic zone.

The effect varies across different ocean water types.

Gamma ray bursts could temporarily disrupt marine photosynthesis processes.

Abstract

We continue our previous work on the potential short-term influence of a gamma ray bursts on Earth's biosphere, focusing on the only important short-term effect on life: the ultraviolet flash which occurs as a result of the retransmission of the {\gamma} radiation through the atmosphere. Thus, in this work we calculate the ultraviolet irradiances penetrating the first hundred meters of the water column, for Jerlov's ocean water types I, II and III. Then we estimate the UV flash potential for photosynthesis inhibition, showing that it can be important in a considerable part of the water column with light enough for photosynthesis to be done, the so called photic zone.