How could you remove all the oxygen from Earth's Atmosphere? Hypothetically

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers around the hypothetical scenario of removing all oxygen from Earth's atmosphere for a science thriller novel. Key suggestions include burning fossil fuels to deplete oxygen slowly, utilizing an antimatter bomb to eliminate oxygen rapidly, and exploring natural phenomena like comet impacts or nuclear winter as potential plot devices. Participants emphasize the need for a plausible yet imaginative approach, considering the scientific implications of oxygen depletion and its effects on life and the environment.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of photosynthesis and its role in oxygen production.
  • Knowledge of atmospheric science, particularly the composition and behavior of gases.
  • Familiarity with science fiction tropes related to alien invasions and apocalyptic scenarios.
  • Basic concepts of combustion and its impact on atmospheric oxygen levels.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the effects of nuclear winter on atmospheric conditions and oxygen levels.
  • Explore the concept of antimatter and its theoretical applications in science fiction.
  • Investigate the historical context and scientific basis of the Oxygen Revolution.
  • Examine the ecological impact of rapid oxygen depletion and potential survival strategies for humans and other life forms.
USEFUL FOR

Science fiction authors, environmental scientists, and anyone interested in speculative scenarios involving atmospheric changes and their consequences on life on Earth.

  • #61
It might be easier to remove the oxygen over a longer period of time. The main characters could also be an astronauts instead of a diver. Mysteriously, mission control, stops responding, and astronauts lose all contact with earth. They are meanwhile quite a ways away from earth, and don't get back for some time, could be a week, a month, or a year. Somehow only one survives. Maybe a few could die in space trying to repair something, only one survives in the end, and ends up in the ocean climbing out of the capsule with a space suite on looking at a red sky.
 
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  • #62
*bump*

Participants of this thread may like to know that the novel was published a couple of weeks ago, and has been reviewed by Publishers Weekly. Snippet below:

Acknowledgments said:
For help developing the crazy, but plausible, science at the core of the SecondWorld story, I must thank “Chemisttree” from physicsforums.com, where I received ideas and advice from a number of scientists in a variety of fields.
 
  • #63
onomatomanic said:
*bump*

Participants of this thread may like to know that the novel was published a couple of weeks ago, and has been reviewed by Publishers Weekly. Snippet below:
Good luck OP with your book!

And YAY chemistree!
 
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  • #65
Oh WOW!

Thanks Jeremy.
 
  • #66
we know by ultra violet radiation the oxygen will converted to ozone. so if huge quantity of ultraviolet radiation are applied it may definitely convert every oxygen molecule to ozone at least temporally
 
  • #67
And fry everything on the planet at the same time most likely! One hell of a situation to get out of!
 
  • #68
RobinsonJ said:
Hey all,

I'm a science thriller author (www.jeremyrobinsononline.com) and I've got a new story idea with a really big problem. Basically, I need to remove all of the oxygen from Earth's atmosphere, preferably fast, but I can adapt to a longer time frame if need be. Now, this is for a novel so it only needs to be rooted by facts...so imaginations are welcome.

ALSO possible for the story would be poisoning the atmosphere...keeping the O2, but making it toxic. But removing the O2 is somehow cooler, I think.

I have some ideas, but nothing great. Any thoughts? Oh, and this would have to be either natural (cosmic counts) or natural but triggered by man. No doomsday devices like the O2 Destroyer in Godzilla. :)

Thanks for your help!

-- Jeremy Robinson

Huge electrical discharge converts it all to ozone? ?
 

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