Organic molecules formed in a “primordial womb”
- 1Department of Geological Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, USA
- 2Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, USA
- 3Center for Solid State Science, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, USA
- 4Department of Geological Sciences and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, USA
Abstract
Primordial organic molecules may have evolved in seafloor hydrothermal systems by mineral catalysis. Most organic compounds decompose in >300 °C vent fluid; however, we show that smectite-type clays can protect and promote development of diverse organic compounds that may be precursors to biomolecules. Smectite provides a safe haven for the synthesis of organic molecules, essentially like a “primordial womb.”
Our experiments simulated seafloor hydrothermal conditions (300 °C, 100 MPa) and reacted common clays (montmorillonite, saponite, illite) with dilute methanol as a source of C. Montmorillonite reacts under these conditions to illite, while the other clays do not change. We observed increased organic synthesis over time with montmorillonite during mineralogical reaction. Approaching equilibrium, smectite contracts and organic molecules are expelled. Organic compounds unstable in hot fluid where the smectite reacts may survive in cooler waters outside the vent.
Footnotes
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↵GSA Data Repository item 2005178, experimental details, is available online at www.geosociety.org/pubs/ft2005.htm, or on request from editing{at}geosociety.org or Documents Secretary, GSA, P.O. Box 9140, Boulder, CO 80301-9140.
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- Accepted 14 July 2005.
- Received 29 March 2005.
- Revision received 13 July 2005.
- Geological Society of America
