The origin of life is one of science’s most challenging questions. Deep-sea hydrothermal systems are considered potential sites for the emergence of life and a key focus in the search for extraterrestrial life. These systems provided ideal material and energy conditions for prebiotic chemical reactions on early Earth, driving the formation of small organic molecules under non-enzymatic catalysis.
Building on this, mineral-catalyzed organic polymerization reactions laid the foundation for the production of more complex organic compounds, facilitating the evolution from simple organic compounds to intricate functional structures and eventually leading to the emergence of life forms.
A research team from NIGPAS and the Institute of Deep-Sea Science and Engineering of the Chinese Academy of Sciences published their findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) on September 9th, 2024. they reported the discovery of abiotic organic compounds in the oceanic crust of the Southwest Indian Ridge and proposed a molecular mechanism for organic condensation.
This breakthrough followed the team’s discovery of nanoscale abiotic organic matter in mantle rocks from the Yap Trench in 2021. It represents a significant advance in research on deep-sea carbon cycling and the origin of life, shedding light on key pathways for abiotic organic synthesis in nature.
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