ROLE OF HYDROTHERMAL DYNAMICS FOR THE ORIGIN OF LIFE ON EARTH

详细

In framework of the inversion concept one more required condition for the origin of life has been substantiated: multilevel fluctuations of physic-chemical parameters (in addition to the three accepted: availability of organic matter, aqueous medium, and source of energy). Taking this condition into consideration, hydrothermal systems were preferable medium for the origin of life on early Earth, in comparison with ocean. Hydrothermal environments are characterized by an extremely wide range of temperature, pressure, pH, and concentrations of components gradients. Multilevel fluctuations availability has been corroborated by means of thermodynamic estimations and direct measurements of pressure and temperatureduring the monitoring in some of the Kamchatka peninsula hydrothermal systems. The monitoring database mathematical processing reveals at least three levels of pressure fluctuations: 1) irregular macro fluctuations (with big amplitudes); 2) regular micro oscillations (with smaller amplitudes and periods about 20 minutes); 3) sudden pressure changes and fluctuations with periods lower than 5 minutes. High correlation between pressure, temperature, and concentrations of chemical components is also detected both in hydrothermal systems of  Kamchatka and Slovenia. A lot of data on pressure and temperature dynamics in hydrothermal fluid, obtained by many researchers, can be applicable for investigation of the origin-of-life process.