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$\begingroup$ How does it avoid excess heavy element loss (that is, elements heavier than Oxygen)? One of the known requirements is active vulcanism to recycle elements that sink to the bottom of the oceans. $\endgroup$
– Joshua
Commented Oct 7, 2023 at 20:30
$\begingroup$ @Joshua That doesn't seem to be covered by the paper. $\endgroup$
– gerrit
Commented Oct 9, 2023 at 6:47
$\begingroup$ @Joshua To answer your question: I have no clue. I'm aware of the opposite problem (solar wind stripping away light elements from the top of the atmosphere), but know essentially nothing about problems with heavy elements becoming out of reach without vulcanism. Can heavy elements be sustained without vulcanism? Can life exist without easy access to heavy elements? Is either related to be half-illuminated, or are those orthogonal problems? Many questions, which I don't think are all conclusively answered. $\endgroup$
– gerrit
Commented Oct 9, 2023 at 7:02
$\begingroup$ Your particular rig-up here looks unstable in the presence of active vulcanism. It is known that sulphur and prosperous are mandatory (yes there's that paper involving arsenic; it's less available than phosphorous here) I'm more familiar with the eyeball planet which loses too much hydrogen. $\endgroup$
– Joshua
Commented Oct 9, 2023 at 13:53
$\begingroup$ @Joshua Why would active vulcanism be a problem for the rig-up sketched here? Some volcanic islands might pop up under the ice layer or through the ice layer (nunataks) and have occasional eruptions. Large eruptions can temporarily disrupt the climate, but I don't know why it would make the situation illustrated in the image unstable. $\endgroup$
– gerrit
Commented Oct 9, 2023 at 14:01

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