Lightning strikes as a major facilitator of prebiotic phosphorus reduction on early Earth.

ABSTRACT: When hydrated, phosphides such as the mineral schreibersite, (Fe,Ni)₃P, allow for the synthesis of important phosphorus-bearing organic compounds. Such phosphides are common accessory minerals in meteorites; consequently, meteorites are proposed to be a main source of prebiotic reactive phosphorus on early Earth. Here, we propose an alternative source for widespread phosphorus reduction, arguing that lightning strikes on early Earth potentially formed 10-1000 kg of phosphide and 100-10,000 kg of phosphite and hypophosphite annually. Therefore, lightning could have been a significant source of prebiotic, reactive phosphorus which would have been concentrated on landmasses in tropical regions. Lightning strikes could likewise provide a continual source of prebiotic reactive phosph

SUBMITTER: Hess BL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7966383 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature