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Daniel Weller1, Thomas Matreux2,3, Iris B A Smokers4

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Volcanic processes could enrich phosphate, a key element for life. Silicate-phosphate immiscibility in melts creates phosphate-rich droplets, enabling prebiotic chemistry on early Earth.

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Area of Science:

  • Geochemistry
  • Astrobiology
  • Prebiotic Chemistry

Background:

  • Phosphorus is vital for life, but its scarcity and mineral insolubility hinder early Earth chemistry.
  • Prebiotic chemistry requires accessible sources of phosphorus compounds.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate silicate-phosphate immiscibility in volcanic melts as a mechanism for phosphate enrichment.
  • To assess the potential of volcanic processes to supply phosphorus for prebiotic synthesis.

Main Methods:

  • Simulating Archean volcanic melts with high phosphorus content.
  • Inducing rapid cooling to observe immiscibility and droplet formation.
  • Analyzing droplet composition and leaching experiments for phosphate concentration.
  • Testing the synthesis of phosphorylating agents from leached phosphate.

Main Results:

  • Rapid cooling of phosphorus-enriched melts formed immiscible glassy droplets containing up to 21% phosphorus pentoxide.
  • Volcanic delivery of these droplets to the surface.
  • Aqueous leaching yielded millimolar phosphate concentrations.
  • Successful synthesis of polyphosphates and imidazole phosphate with up to 34% yield.

Conclusions:

  • Silicate-phosphate immiscibility in volcanic melts is a viable mechanism for concentrating phosphate.
  • Volcanic processes could have provided essential phosphate for prebiotic chemistry on early Earth.