A study suggests that iron-rich particles from meteorites or volcanic ash might have played a critical role in transforming atmospheric CO2 into vital molecules for life approximately 4.4 billion years ago, initiating reactions crucial for the formation of life’s fundamental compounds.
The research, recently published in Scientific Reports, indicates that the chemical reactions catalyzed by iron-infused particles from meteorites or volcanic eruptions could have led to the creation of molecules necessary for life on Earth around 4.4 billion years ago.
Previous research has suggested the potential arrival of precursors to organic molecules, such as hydrocarbons, aldehydes, and alcohols, on Earth via asteroids and comets or through their synthesis within the young Earth’s atmosphere and oceans. Various sources like lightning, volcanic activity, or impacts could have powered these reactions. However, the primary mechanism that created these precursors is still uncertain due to the lack of sufficient data.
A team led by Oliver Trapp investigated the potential of meteorite or ash particles, deposited on volcanic islands, to catalyze the conversion of atmospheric carbon dioxide into organic molecule precursors on the early Earth. The researchers simulated a variety of conditions believed to be present on the early Earth, using a pressurized and heated system (an autoclave) with carbon dioxide gas under pressures between nine and 45 bars and temperatures between 150 and 300 degrees Celsius. They also simulated varying climate conditions by adding either hydrogen gas or water to the system.
To replicate the deposition of meteorite or ash particles on volcanic islands, they introduced various combinations of crushed samples of iron meteorites, stony meteorites, or volcanic ash, along with minerals that could have been present on the early Earth and are found in the Earth’s crust, meteorites, or asteroids.
The research team discovered that the iron-rich particles from meteorites and volcanic ash accelerated the conversion of carbon dioxide into hydrocarbons, aldehydes, and alcohols under a variety of atmospheric and climate conditions potentially existing on the early Earth. They noted the formation of aldehydes and alcohols at lower temperatures and hydrocarbons at 300 degrees Celsius.
The study authors suggest that the production of alcohols and aldehydes may have increased as the early Earth’s atmosphere cooled over time. These compounds could have subsequently engaged in additional reactions that might have led to the formation of carbohydrates, lipids, sugars, amino acids, DNA, and RNA. By calculating the reaction rates they observed and incorporating data from prior research on early Earth conditions, the authors estimate that their proposed mechanism could have generated up to 600,000 tonnes of organic precursors annually across the early Earth.
In conclusion, the authors propose that their identified mechanism could have played a role in the origins of life on Earth, alongside other reactions occurring in the early Earth’s atmosphere and oceans.
Citation: “Synthesis of prebiotic organics from CO2 by catalysis with meteoritic and volcanic particles” by Sophia Peters, Dmitry A. Semenov, Rupert Hochleitner, and Oliver Trapp, 25 May 2023, Scientific Reports.
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33741-8
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Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Origin of Life
What is the main finding of the study?
The study suggests that iron-rich particles from meteorites or volcanic ash might have played a crucial role in converting atmospheric CO2 into vital molecules for life approximately 4.4 billion years ago.
What kind of reactions might have occurred due to the iron-rich particles?
These particles might have facilitated chemical reactions leading to the creation of molecules like hydrocarbons, aldehydes, and alcohols, which are necessary for the origin of life.
How was the early Earth’s environment simulated in the study?
The researchers simulated a variety of conditions believed to be present on the early Earth, using a pressurized and heated system with carbon dioxide gas. They also replicated varying climate conditions by adding either hydrogen gas or water to the system.
What role might alcohols and aldehydes have played in the early Earth’s environment?
As the Earth’s atmosphere cooled over time, the production of alcohols and aldehydes may have increased. These compounds could have subsequently engaged in additional reactions leading to the formation of vital organic compounds like carbohydrates, lipids, sugars, amino acids, DNA, and RNA.
According to the study, how much of the organic precursors could have been synthesized per year on the early Earth?
By calculating the reaction rates and using data from prior research, the authors estimate that their proposed mechanism could have generated up to 600,000 tonnes of organic precursors annually across the early Earth.
Is the proposed mechanism the sole contributor to the origins of life on Earth?
No, the authors propose that their identified mechanism could have played a role in the origins of life on Earth, but it would have worked alongside other reactions occurring in the early Earth’s atmosphere and oceans.
More about Origin of Life
- Scientific Reports
- Prebiotic Chemistry
- Origin of Life
- Meteorites and the Early Solar System
- Volcanic Activity and Life
5 comments
4.4 billion years ago… hard to even fathom that kind of time scale. but this is why I love science, always discovering something new!
iron particles frm meteorites and volcanos, really?? I always thought life started in the oceans. This opens a new window, doesn’t it?
it’s mind blowing how tiny particles from space could have possibly sparked life on earth. Always love reading stuff like this.
Fascinating. Really makes you think about how intricate and random the start of life on Earth might have been…
wow, so meteors and volcanoes mightve kicked off life huh? thats some cool stuff right there. universe is amazing!