Do Technological Civilizations Depend on Atmospheric Oxygen?
Our modern technological civilization wouldn't have been possible without open-air combustion, which can only happen when atmospheric oxygen levels reach at least 18%. A new study asks if this could be a bottleneck for developing other advanced civilizations. Without at least 18% oxygen, fires won't easily burn, so technologies like steam power and combustion engines wouldn't be possible. Earth has only reached that level of atmospheric composition in the last 500 million years.
http://arxiv.org/abs/2308.01160
nostr:npub1dgc20rwct3mfd884e2240pqpzhzlz6xm7laky670vnd5um3xxkzsaj4yrt
Edit: geothermal vents might kickstart a steam age underwater. Oceanic nodules similarly be seen as essential for an iron age. Sulphuric/fluorine atmosphere needed for chemical engineering.
I don't doubt life's ability to innovate in their environment
nostr:npub1wqygaw96e7xudmld6sazeve0u2kmluxfsrmf9ue53a9zmu3ttzqq85ftf9 That would be amazing. Life finds a way.
