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Article
Schreibersite on the Early Earth: Scenarios for Prebiotic Phosphorylation
Geoscience Frontiers
  • Matthew A. Pasek, University of South Florida
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-1-2017
Keywords
  • Phosphorus,
  • Hadean,
  • Meteorites,
  • Thermodynamics,
  • Origin of life,
  • Prebiotic chemistry
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsf.2016.06.008
Abstract

The mineral schreibersite, (Fe,Ni)3P, provides a reactive source of phosphorus capable of forming phosphorylated molecules. These molecules may have been an important component of prebiotic chemistry, allowing their build-up and eventual commencement of autopoiesis. Discussed here are potential geochemical routes to providing schreibersite, as a potentially important prebiotic mineral, to the Hadean Earth. Two routes are identified: delivery of phosphides by meteoritic material and the reduction of phosphates to phosphides by high-temperature, low-redox conditions. About 1–10% of all crustal phosphorus is estimated to have been in schreibersite during the Hadean, making the long-term reaction of this mineral with organic-laden water plausible for many years. Ultimately, such conditions would have been conducive to the formation of life as we know it today.

Rights Information
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Geoscience Frontiers, v. 8, no. 2, p. 329-335.
Citation Information
Matthew A. Pasek. "Schreibersite on the Early Earth: Scenarios for Prebiotic Phosphorylation" Geoscience Frontiers Vol. 8 Iss. 2 (2017) p. 329 - 335
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/matthew-pasek/36/