The effect of a biosphere on the habitable timespan of stagnant-lid planets and implications for the atmospheric spectrum

TL;DR

This paper investigates how biospheres influence the habitable lifespan and atmospheric spectra of Earth-like stagnant-lid exoplanets, suggesting observable biosignatures and differences in atmospheric composition near habitable zone edges.

Contribution

It models the impact of biological activity on atmospheric composition and habitability duration of stagnant-lid planets, highlighting observable spectral signatures for future space telescope missions.

Findings

Biospheres can extend habitability by about 1 Gyr under certain conditions.

Atmospheric CO$_2$ differences are detectable between biotic and abiotic planets.

Methane biosignatures may be observable with JWST near the habitable zone edge.

Abstract

Temperature-dependent biological productivity controls silicate weathering and thereby extends the potential habitable timespan of Earth. Models and theoretical considerations indicate that the runaway greenhouse on Earth-like exoplanets is generally accompanied by a dramatic increase in atmospheric H$_2$O and CO$_2$, which might be observed with the upcoming generation of space telescopes. If an active biosphere extends the habitable timespan of exoplanets similarly to Earth, observing the atmospheric spectra of exoplanets near the inner edge of the habitable zone could then give insights into whether the planet is inhabited. Here, we explore this idea for Earth-like stagnant-lid planets. We find that while for a reduced mantle, a surface biosphere extends the habitable timespan of the planet by about 1 Gyr, for more oxidising conditions, the biologically enhanced rate of weathering becomes increasingly compensated for by an increased supply rate of CO$_2$ to the atmosphere. Observationally, the resulting difference in atmospheric CO$_2$ near the inner edge of the habitable zone is clearly distinguishable between biotic planets with active weathering and abiotic planets that have experienced a runaway greenhouse. For an efficient hydrological cycle, the increased bioproductivity also leads to a CH$_4$ biosignature observable with JWST. As the planet becomes uninhabitable, the H$_2$O infrared absorption bands dominate, but the 4.3-micron CO$_2$ band remains a clear window into the CO$_2$ abundances. In summary, while the effect of life on the carbonate-silicate cycle leaves a record in the atmospheric spectrum of Earth-like stagnant-lid planets, future work is needed especially to determine the tectonic state and composition of exoplanets and to push forward the development of the next generation of space telescopes.