Publication: ¿Es Gaia una teoría adelantada a su tiempo o una broma vitalista? Reflexiones para C.T.M.A.1
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2000
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Asociación Española para la Enseñanza de las Ciencias de la Tierra
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Abstract
El concepto de Gaia se ha difundido muy rápidamente en el sistema educativo preuniversitario, en ocasiones de forma acritica. Para hacer posible una discusión fundamentada de los méritos y lagunas de esta teoría se exponen sus puntos fuertes y débiles. Tras localizar alguna de las raíces históricas de esta idea, la discusión se centra en (a) la tradición vitalista, (b) la Paradoja de] Sol Primordial Débil, (e) la evolución M clima, con una hidrosfera liquida permanente, también en épocas de glaciaciones globales,
(d) la evolución de la biosfera, caracterizada por extinciones masivas seguidas de rápidas recuperaciones,
(e) la evolución química de la atmósfera hasta su composición actual, (f) los cambios en la sedimentación química, (g) el óptimo térmico terrestre en comparación con los planetas vecinos, y (h) la posible interacción entre biosfera y litosfera, o sea entre Vida y Tectónica de placas. Por último, se examinan algunas posibles comprobaciones de la idea, y sus aspectos filosóficos.
The Gaia concept has quickly established itself in the pre-college system, without any kind of preassessment. To make possible an informed discussion of the pros and cons of this theory, its strong and weak points are presented. Some historical roots of Gaia are traced, and then the following topics are discussed: (a) the vitalist tradition, (b) the Young Faint Sun Paradox, (c) the evolution of climate, with a constantly liquid hydrosphere but also occasional global ice sheets, (d) the evolution of the biosphere, featuring mass extinctions followed by quick recovering of diversity, (e) the chemical evolution of the atmosphere, (f) the changes in chemical sedimentation, (g) the Earth thermal optimum as compared with its planetary neighbours, and (h) the Gaia-postulated loop between Life and Plate tectonics. Finally, we discuss some possible proofs for Gaia, and its philosophical traits.
The Gaia concept has quickly established itself in the pre-college system, without any kind of preassessment. To make possible an informed discussion of the pros and cons of this theory, its strong and weak points are presented. Some historical roots of Gaia are traced, and then the following topics are discussed: (a) the vitalist tradition, (b) the Young Faint Sun Paradox, (c) the evolution of climate, with a constantly liquid hydrosphere but also occasional global ice sheets, (d) the evolution of the biosphere, featuring mass extinctions followed by quick recovering of diversity, (e) the chemical evolution of the atmosphere, (f) the changes in chemical sedimentation, (g) the Earth thermal optimum as compared with its planetary neighbours, and (h) the Gaia-postulated loop between Life and Plate tectonics. Finally, we discuss some possible proofs for Gaia, and its philosophical traits.