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Prebiotic chemistry in neutral/reduced-alkaline gas-liquid interfaces
Cristina Mompeán1, Margarita R Marín-Yaseli1, Patricia Espigares1
1Department of Molecular Evolution, Centro de Astrobiología (CSIC-INTA), Carretera de Ajalvir km 4, Torrejón de Ardoz, 28850, Madrid, Spain.
Scientific Reports
|February 15, 2019
Summary
Alkaline aerosols uniquely enhance the abiotic formation of diverse biomolecules from inorganic matter. Simulating planetary conditions reveals alkaline aerosols are key for prebiotic chemistry and detecting life
Area of Science:
- Astrobiology
- Prebiotic Chemistry
- Planetary Science
Background:
- Aerosol-interfaces enhance prebiotic chemical reactions.
- The roles of aerosol salinity and pH in prebiotic chemistry are under-investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally investigate the impact of aerosol pH on the abiotic formation of organic compounds.
- To determine the significance of alkaline aerosols as prebiotic reactors.
Main Methods:
- Simulated experiments using electrical discharges to form tholins.
- Analysis of biomolecule diversity in tholins synthesized under varying aerosol pH conditions.
- Simulation of plausible planetary environmental conditions.
Main Results:
- Alkaline aerosols uniquely produced an undifferentiated accumulation of multi-carbon biomolecules.
- Simulated planetary conditions enhanced biomolecule detection in tholins.
- Reduced and neutral atmospheres with alkaline aerosols yielded greater diversity of amino acids, carboxylic acids, N-heterocycles, and ketoacids compared to neutral or acidic aerosols.
Conclusions:
- Alkaline aerosols act as unique prebiotic reactors, significantly enhancing the abiotic synthesis of diverse biomolecules.
- Simulating specific planetary conditions, particularly alkaline aerosols, is crucial for understanding the origin of life and detecting extraterrestrial life.
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