Two Russian biologists have put forward a new hypothesis that seeks to explain one of the central questions about the origin of life on Earth: how phosphorus became available in the early stages of the planet's history.
Professor Alexander Molkedzhanyan, a specialist in bioengineering and bioinformatics at Moscow State University, and his colleague Associate Professor Daria Debrova, pointed out that geothermal fields and intense volcanic activity in the young Earth may have been two major sources of phosphorus in the early stages of the planet's history.
The scientists explained that phosphorus is a fundamental element for the origin of life, as it is a component of DNA and RNA, as well as energy compounds that fuel cells. However, scientists still disagree about how sufficient quantities of chemically active phosphorus compounds were available on Earth in its early stages.
The researchers cited the Kudryavi volcano in the Kuril Islands, where unusually high magma temperatures enable large quantities of phosphorus and other elements to be transported via volcanic steam to the Earth's surface, providing an environment rich in materials necessary for biological processes.
According to the research findings of geochemist Andrei Pichkov's team, phosphorus at high temperatures can be efficiently transported by volcanic steam, then accumulate in near-surface environments, making it available for the first chemical reactions believed to have paved the way for the emergence of life.
"Studies on the Kudryavi volcano have shown that at sufficiently high temperatures, phosphorus can efficiently be converted into volcanic steam and transported to the surface," said Molkedjanian. "This means that under the conditions that prevailed on early Earth, when volcanic activity was much higher than it is today, these processes may have been an important source of phosphorus in pre-biological chemistry."
The scientists added that similar processes may have been widespread in that early stage of Earth's history, especially after the massive collision believed to have formed the Moon, as Earth's mantle remained much hotter for a long time compared to the present, leading to more intense and widespread volcanic activity.
As a result, geological environments similar to high-temperature fumaroles were formed. These are cracks and openings in volcanic areas from which hot gases and steam are emitted to the surface, providing favorable conditions for the transport of basic chemical elements.
This hypothesis offers a new perspective on the role of volcanoes in Earth's early history, and may also help in understanding the likelihood of similar conditions forming on other planets in the solar system.
