Abstract

Hydrothermal chimneys and compartments comprising transition metal sulphides and associated minerals have been proposed as likely locations for the beginnings of life. In laboratory simulations of off-axis alkaline springs, it is shown that the interaction of a simulated alkaline sulphide-bearing submarine vent solution with a primeval anoxic iron-bearing ocean leads to the formation of chimney structures reminiscent of chemical gardens. These chimneys display periodicity in their deposition and exhibit diverse morphologies and mineralogies, affording the possibilities of catalysis and molecular sequestration. The addition of peptides and RNA to the alkaline solution modifies the elemental stoichiometry of the chimneys-perhaps indicating the very initial stage of the organic takeover on the way to living cells by charged organic polymers potentially synthesized in this same environment.

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Publisher Full Text

Authors

McGlynn SE, Kanik I, Russell MJ

Institution

Planetary Science Section 3220, MS:183-301, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109-8099, USA.

Source

Philosophical transactions. Series A, Mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences 370:1969 2012 Jun 28 pg 3007-22

MeSH

Biogenesis
Catalysis
Crystallization
Electric Capacitance
Inorganic Chemicals
Iron
Models, Chemical
Models, Genetic
Models, Molecular
Peptides
RNA
Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
Sulfur

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22615473