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Breakthrough in Abiotic Organic Synthesis Revealed in Oceanic Crust
A team of Chinese researchers has unveiled intriguing findings about abiotic organic compounds located within the oceanic crust of the Southwest Indian Ridge. Their study proposes a novel molecular mechanism responsible for the process of organic condensation.
This advancement marks a continuation of their previous work, which identified nanoscale abiotic organic matter in mantle rocks sampled from the Yap Trench in 2021. The latest discovery provides crucial insights into the dynamics of deep-sea carbon cycling and may offer explanations regarding the origins of life, emphasizing the potential pathways for abiotic organic synthesis occurring in nature.
The findings were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, with Dr. Nan Jingbo from the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences leading the research. Dr. Peng Xiaotong, associated with the Institute of Deep-Sea Science and Engineering also under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, served as the corresponding author.
The origin of life remains one of science’s most profound mysteries, with deep-sea hydrothermal systems receiving attention as potential habitats for life’s emergence. These unique environments are believed to offer ideal materials and energy conditions conducive to prebiotic chemical reactions that have propelled the formation of simple organic molecules through non-enzymatic processes.
Following these initial reactions, the creation of more complex organic compounds through mineral-catalyzed polymerization may have paved the way for the development of intricate functional structures, thus fostering the evolution of living organisms.
In their current research, the team utilized basalt samples collected by the human-occupied vehicle (HOV) Shen Hai Yong Shi during the TS-10 expedition. For the first time, they reported the detection of abiotic carbonaceous matter at the micron scale within the upper oceanic crust of the Southwest Indian Ridge.
The researchers noticed a significant spatial correlation between the organic matter and various products formed through water-rock interactions, such as goethite. To validate their findings, they employed advanced multimodal in situ microanalysis techniques, including electron microscopy and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. This comprehensive approach confirmed the lack of biomolecular functional groups within the carbonaceous matter, substantiating its abiotic origin.
Further exploring the catalytic processes, the research team utilized density functional theory (DFT) calculations to hypothesize the integral role of goethite in the synthesis of abiotic carbonaceous material at the molecular scale. They detailed how hydrogen derived from hydrothermal fluids contributes to a catalytic cycle on the surface of goethite, facilitating the activation of carbon dioxide and supporting the growth of carbon chains during organic condensation.
This groundbreaking study effectively intertwines multifaceted analytical techniques with DFT models to provide a deeper comprehension of abiotic organic synthesis mechanisms. The insights gained offer valuable context for understanding the formation of abiotic carbonaceous compounds, particularly in mid-ocean ridges recognized as vital natural laboratories for such studies.
The research also serves as a critical reference for recognizing abiotic organic materials in hydrothermal systems on other rocky planets, advancing our understanding of potential life-sustaining environments beyond Earth.
More information: Jingbo Nan et al, Unraveling abiotic organic synthesis pathways in the mafic crust of mid-ocean ridges, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2308684121
Citation: Abiotic organic synthesis research proposes new mechanism for organic condensation (2024, October 17) retrieved 17 October 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2024-10-abiotic-synthesis-mechanism-condensation.html
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