Organic Synthesis in Seafloor Hydrotherm
Description
Seafloor spreading is thought to have been active on the Early Earth. Numerous proposals have suggested that synthesis of many organic compounds is possible in seafloor hydrothermal systems, but few tests of those hypotheses have been accomplished. Investigating how simple organic molecules such as alcohols might be synthesized from inorganic reactants such as H2, CO2, and water by mineral surface catalysis under conditions relevant to seafloor hydrothermal systems. Developed an experimental system to simulate the pressures, temperatures, and chemical conditions found in hydrothermal systems in which to investigate mineral-catalyzed abiotic organic synthesis.
Presentation Transcript
Slide1 : Module 1B Organic Synthesis in Seafloor Hydrothermal Systems Precurssors to Early Life: Seafloor spreading is thought to have been active on the Early Earth.
Numerous proposals have suggested that synthesis of many organic compounds is possible in seafloor hydrothermal systems, but few tests of those hypotheses have been accomplished.
Investigating how simple organic molecules such as alcohols might be synthesized from inorganic reactants such as H2, CO2, and water by mineral surface catalysis under conditions relevant to seafloor hydrothermal systems.
Developed an experimental system to simulate the pressures, temperatures, and chemical conditions found in hydrothermal systems in which to investigate mineral-catalyzed abiotic organic synthesis. Holloway & O’Day
Slide2 : CO2 + 4H2 = CH3OH +H2O FIRST RESULTS:
Magnetite Catalyzed
Methanol Synthesis Catalytic Reactor Vessel Gas Chromatogram:
Methanol Peak
Publications: : (IN PRESS) Holloway, J. and O’Day, P. Carbon dioxide and hydrogen flux at mid-ocean ridges: potential for primary biologic production in seafloor hydrothermal systems, in Krauskopf Symposium Volume, Stanford University, Geology International. Publications:
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