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Updated: Jul 28, 2026
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Metal-silicate Partitioning at High Pressure and Temperature: Experimental Methods and a Protocol to Suppress Highly Siderophile Element Inclusions
Published on: June 13, 2015
H2-rich fluids from serpentinization: geochemical and biotic implications.
N H Sleep1, A Meibom, Th Fridriksson
1Department of Geophysics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. norm@pangea.stanford.edu
Summary
Serpentinites, formed from ultramafic rocks, create reducing conditions and hydrogen gas. The mineral awaruite (FeNi3) catalyzes organic compound formation, suggesting serpentinites are key prebiotic environments on planets.
Area of Science:
- Geochemistry
- Astrobiology
- Mineralogy
Background:
- Ultramafic rocks undergo metamorphic hydration and oxidation to form serpentinites.
- Serpentinite minerals buffer fluids to reducing conditions, producing hydrogen gas.
- Awaruite (FeNi3) forms early in serpentinization from Fe-rich minerals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of serpentinites in prebiotic chemistry.
- To understand the formation of ferric iron in Earth's mantle.
- To assess the habitability of serpentinite environments on silicate planets.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of mineral composition in serpentinites.
- Geochemical modeling of fluid buffering.
- Evaluation of catalytic properties of FeNi3.
Main Results:
- Serpentinization produces extremely reducing conditions and hydrogen gas.
- Awaruite (FeNi3) formation is linked to early serpentinization stages.
- FeNi3 catalyzes the formation of complex organic compounds.
Conclusions:
- Serpentinites represent significant prebiotic and biotic environments.
- The catalytic activity of FeNi3 is crucial for organic synthesis.
- Serpentinite environments are potentially habitable on other silicate planets.
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