Evaluating Serpentinization as a Source of Phosphite to Microbial Communities in Hydrothermal Vents DOI Creative Commons
Joanne Boden, Sanjoy M. Som, William J. Brazelton

et al.

Geobiology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 23(2)

Published: March 1, 2025

Previous studies have documented the presence of phosphite, a reduced and highly soluble form phosphorus, in serpentinites, which has led to hypothesis that serpentinizing hydrothermal vents could been an important source bioavailable phosphorus for early microbial communities Archean. Here, we test this by evaluating genomic hallmarks usage living modern with without influence from serpentinization. These analyses are combined results geochemical model calculates speciation during serpentinization as function temperature, water:rock ratio, lithology at thermodynamic equilibrium. We find little no evidence phosphite use environments Voltri Massif or Von Damm field Mid Cayman Rise, but relatively more Lost City field, Coast Range Ophiolite Microbial Observatory, The Cedars, chimney samples Old Prony Bay well non-serpentinizing Axial Seamount. Geochemical modeling shows production is favored ca 275°C-325°C low ratios, may explain previous observations serpentinite rocks; however, most initial phosphate trapped apatite serpentinization, suppressing absolute yield. As result, supported growth around olivine minerals walls suspended aggregates, it unlikely fueled substantial primary productivity diffusely venting fluids life's origin evolution Archean unless substrates equivalent dunites (composed > 90 wt% olivine) were common.

Language: Английский

Heat flows solubilize apatite to boost phosphate availability for prebiotic chemistry DOI Creative Commons
Thomas Matreux,

Almuth Schmid,

Mechthild Rappold

et al.

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 16(1)

Published: Feb. 20, 2025

Abstract Phosphorus is an essential building block of life, likely since its beginning. Despite this importance for prebiotic chemistry, phosphorus was scarce in Earth’s rock record and mainly bound poorly soluble minerals, with the calcium-phosphate mineral apatite as key example. While specific chemical boundary conditions have been considered to address so-called phosphate problem, a fundamental process that solubilizes enriches from geological sources remains elusive. Here, we show ubiquitous heat flows through cracks can liberate by selective removal calcium. Phosphate’s strong thermophoresis not only achieves 100-fold up-concentration aqueous solution, but boosts solubility two orders magnitude. We heat-flow-solubilized feed synthesis trimetaphosphate, increasing conversion 260-fold compared thermal equilibrium. Heat thus enhance unlock apatites source providing early life’s problem.

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Evaluating Serpentinization as a Source of Phosphite to Microbial Communities in Hydrothermal Vents DOI Creative Commons
Joanne Boden, Sanjoy M. Som, William J. Brazelton

et al.

Geobiology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 23(2)

Published: March 1, 2025

Previous studies have documented the presence of phosphite, a reduced and highly soluble form phosphorus, in serpentinites, which has led to hypothesis that serpentinizing hydrothermal vents could been an important source bioavailable phosphorus for early microbial communities Archean. Here, we test this by evaluating genomic hallmarks usage living modern with without influence from serpentinization. These analyses are combined results geochemical model calculates speciation during serpentinization as function temperature, water:rock ratio, lithology at thermodynamic equilibrium. We find little no evidence phosphite use environments Voltri Massif or Von Damm field Mid Cayman Rise, but relatively more Lost City field, Coast Range Ophiolite Microbial Observatory, The Cedars, chimney samples Old Prony Bay well non-serpentinizing Axial Seamount. Geochemical modeling shows production is favored ca 275°C-325°C low ratios, may explain previous observations serpentinite rocks; however, most initial phosphate trapped apatite serpentinization, suppressing absolute yield. As result, supported growth around olivine minerals walls suspended aggregates, it unlikely fueled substantial primary productivity diffusely venting fluids life's origin evolution Archean unless substrates equivalent dunites (composed > 90 wt% olivine) were common.

Language: Английский

Citations

0