Ancient Rocks Reveal Secrets of Life's Origins from 35 Billion Years Ago

Photo byPhoto by Milo Rossi on Unsplash

Researchers from the University of Western Australia and the University of Cambridge have uncovered significant insights into the origins of life by studying 3.5 billion-year-old rocks from the Pilbara region of Western Australia. These rocks, known for preserving Earth's crust during the Archean era, offer valuable clues about prebiotic chemistry.

Examining the rocks under a transmission electron microscope, scientists discovered previously unnoticed nanocrystals embedded within them. Among these minerals is greenalite, containing iron, silicon, and oxygen, likely deposited on the seafloor by hydrothermal vents billions of years ago. The unique nanoscale structure of greenalite, with corrugated edges, suggests its potential role as a catalytic tool for aligning biomolecular components like RNA and DNA.

Hydrothermal vents, believed to be conducive to the emergence of life, continuously churn seawater through magma chambers, creating extreme gradients ideal for chemical reactions. The discovery of fluorapatite nanoparticles in the rocks provides a possible explanation for the prevalence of phosphorus in biological structures despite its scarcity in today's oceans. Modelling suggests that phosphorus concentrations in ancient seawater were significantly higher than today, indicating hydrothermal vents as an early source of accessible phosphorus.

These findings challenge previous assumptions about the availability of essential elements for life's emergence and evolution. The study highlights the significance of hydrothermal vents in facilitating prebiotic chemical processes and underscores the role of ancient environments in shaping life's fundamental building blocks.