ultra-violet

HURDLE NUMBER 16. THE ULTRA-VIOLET HURDLE.

Ultraviolet light on the prebiotic earth would have destroyed any molecules of life that could have formed. Here are some quotes from authoritative sources that substantiate this statement:-

The following quote is from the book – Evolution on Trial: The Case For Evolution – by Douglas J. Futuyma (An ardent evolutionist – Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolution at State University of New York, at Stony Brook), published by Sinaeur Associates Inc. USA, 1995, page 72:-

“The atmosphere of the early earth was very different from the present one. There was no free oxygen (O₂) or ozone (O₃), so the earth received an enormous input of ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT THAT WOULD BE LETHAL TO - - - - - LIFE (My capitals). Ancient Precambrian rocks are rich in unoxidized iron compounds that could not have been formed in the presence of oxygen.”

(My comment:- The ozone layer, which is composed of ozone – a particular molecular form of oxygen – protects us from ultraviolet light.)

Here is a quote from the book Seven Clues to The Origin of Life by A.G. Cairns Smith (Senior Lecturer in Chemistry at The University of Glasgow), published by Cambridge University Press, reprinted 1991, pages 42 to 43:-

“Ultraviolet sunlight is - - - - -better at destroying middle size organic molecules - - - - - A general effect of ultraviolet light is to break covalent bonds. - - - - - Ultraviolet sunlight converts surface minerals into materials that will destroy organic molecules.”

(My comment:- Covalent bonds are the chemical bonds that join atoms together in organic molecules.)

The next quote is from the book Genetic Takeover and The Mineral Origins of Life by A.G. Cairns Smith (Senior Lecturer in Chemistry at The University of Glasgow), published by Cambridge University Press, reprinted 1987, pages 46 to 47:-

“Ultraviolet radiation - - - - would have destroyed 97% of amino acids produced in the atmosphere before they reached the oceans - - - - short wavelength photons are needed for the synthesis of - - - - amino acids, while the much more abundant longer wavelength photons are effective in decomposing them - - - - Ultraviolet radiation - - - - can have an oxidizing effect on inorganic surface materials, creating species that are ready to destroy any organic molecules that are formed.”

(My comment on the Ultraviolet Hurdle:- The molecules of life could never have been formed on the prebiotic earth in the first place. However, if – by some vastly improbable miracle – they ever were formed, ultraviolet light would have destroyed them.)