Global Warming and Global Cooling (eBook)

Cover 1
Copyright page 5
Contents 8
Foreword 12
Preface 14
Chapter 1. Introduction to the Global Evolution of the Earth 18
1.1. Origin of the Earth and its Composition 18
1.2. Formation of the Earth–Moon Double Planet 28
1.3. Beginning of Tectonomagmatic Activity on Earth 38
1.4. Separation of Earth’s Core (Main Factor Driving the Earth’s Global Evolution) 43
1.5. Energy Balance of the Earth 58
1.6. Tectonic Activity of Earth 67
1.7. Evolution of the Chemical Composition of the Mantle 72
1.8. Formation of Oceanic and Continental Lithospheric Plates 78
Chapter 2. Degassing of Earth and Formation of Hydrosphere and Atmosphere 100
2.1. Formation of Earth’s Hydrosphere 100
2.2. Formation of Iron-bearing Deposits 109
2.3. Nature of Global Transgressions 116
2.4. Formation of the Earth’s Atmosphere 120
2.5. Evolution of Partial Pressure of Nitrogen in the Atmosphere 122
2.6. Evolution of Carbon Dioxide Partial Pressure 125
2.7. Oxygen Accumulation in the Earth’s Atmosphere 133
2.8. Generation of Abiogenic Methane 137
2.9. Origin of the ‘‘Ozone Holes’’ 147
Chapter 3. The Adiabatic Theory of Greenhouse Effect 150
3.1. Introduction 150
3.2. Greenhouse Effect 150
3.3. Principal Characteristics of Present-day Atmosphere 155
3.4. Key Points of the Adiabatic Theory of Greenhouse Effect 157
3.5. Possible Directions of Generalizing the Adiabatic Theory 165
3.6. Prognostic Atmospheric Temperature Estimates 173
3.7. Impact of Anthropogenic Factor on the Earth’s Climate 177
3.8. Influence of Oceans on the Atmospheric Content of Carbon Dioxide 179
3.9. Methane Emission Effect 182
Chapter 4. Evolution of Earth’s Climates 184
4.1. Introduction 184
4.2. Climatic Cooling during Cenozoic Era 184
4.3. Bacterial Nature of the Earth’s Glaciations 188
4.4. Precession Cycles and the Earth’s Climate 197
4.5. Continental Drift and the Climates of Earth 207
Chapter 5. Influence of Climate on Formation of Mineral Deposits on Earth 212
5.1. Introduction 212
5.2. Plate Tectonics and Origins of Endogenic Mineral Deposits 212
5.3. Earth’s Core Separation Determining the Geologic Evolution of Earth 222
5.4. The Influence of Ocean and Climates of Earth on the Formation of Sedimentary Mineral Deposits 228
5.5. Origin of Diamond-bearing Kimberlitic and Similar Rocks 236
5.6. Origin of Exogenic Deposits of Minerals 239
5.7. Plate Tectonics and Formation of Hydrocarbon Deposits 241
Chapter 6. Origin and Development of Life on Earth (Influence of Climate) 252
6.1. Uniqueness of Earth 252
6.2. The Earth’s Climate and Origin of Life 253
6.3. Influence of Geologic Processes on the Evolution of Earth’s Life 257
6.4. Influence of Continental Drift and Marine Transgressions on Ecology during Phanerozoic Eon 261
6.5. Future Development of Atmosphere and the Death of Earth 272
Chapter 7. Global Forces of Nature Driving the Earth’s Climate 276
7.1. Introduction 276
7.2. Solar Irradiation Reaching the Earth 278
7.3. Orbital Deviations and the Earth’s Mass Redistribution 280
7.4. The Earth’s Outgassing 282
7.5. Global Climatic Cooling due to Increase in CO2 Content 288
7.6. Inner Sources of the Earth’s Energy 290
7.7. Smoothing Role of World Ocean 293
7.8. Microbial Activity at Earth’s Surface 295
7.9. Glacial and Interglacial Periods 296
7.10. Global Warming or Global Cooling? 298
7.11. Conclusions 301
References 304
Further Reading 312
Subject Index 324