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Organic molecules formed in a "primordial womb"

¹ Department of Geological Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, USA
² Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, USA
³ Center for Solid State Science, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, USA
⁴ Department of Geological Sciences and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, USA

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.

Key Words: smectite • seafloor hydrothermal systems • organic synthesis

This article has been cited by other articles:

				B. T. De Gregorio and T. G. Sharp The structure and distribution of carbon in 3.5 Ga Apex chert: Implications for the biogenicity of Earth's oldest putative microfossils American Mineralogist, May 1, 2006; 91(5-6): 784 - 789. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]