Re: Bringing the issue back - why is UV so bad - facts please.


UV radiation is sufficiently energetic to disrupt just about any
biochemical order. For example, it can disrupt methane and ammonia
to produce amino acids. And it can disrupt amino acids to produce
methane and ammonia. Here is a paper claiming that even as far out
as Europa, solar UV would quickly destroy any amino acids exposed at
the surface.
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2006/pdf/2006.pdf

It is important to realize that pyrimidine dimers are the kinds of
damage that result IN SPITE OF the ozone layer. If we didn't have
that protection, dimers would be just the tip of the iceberg.

As you continue to research this topic, be sure to pay attention
to the differences in the effects of short- vs relatively
long-wavelength uv radiation.

Unfortunately for me, I am unable to download pdf files.

I do agree that UV radiation is energetic - I see it as a plus.
I do agree that UV radiation would stir things up - I see it as a plus
and I see any chem system that could survive it, as going in
the same direction of life - they may both define the other.
I do agree that UV radiation would put selection pressure against
adjacent pyrimidines etc. (and I see this as a clue to early coding)
I also agree that all these UV problems would be on Mars too -
something few think about.

In sum up I see it more as part of the solution of OOL than the problem
to avoid. I'd like to see much much more experiments in this field.

Thanks to all responders - and if you find more studies, let me know.


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