A study conducted by Harvard University revealed a new theory about the origin of life.The study shows that the electrochemistry of plasma radiation transformed the Earth’s primitive atmosphere into a space suitable for the formation of compounds necessary for life.
A recent investigation by a team of scientists at the prestigious university has proposed a new hypothesis about the concept of life on Earth. They suggest that lightning could have played a major role in this process nearly four billion years ago.
The study, titled “Simulating Lightning-Driven Electrochemistry on Early Earth,” published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggests that lightning-driven plasma electrochemistry transformed the planet’s early atmosphere into a suitable space for creating the essential compounds of existence.
What is the new hypothesis about the origin of life according to the Harvard University study?
According to researchers, The Earth’s atmosphere at that time was dominated by noble gases. Like nitrogen and carbon dioxide, which did not readily react to form the complex organic molecules necessary for life. However, as the Harvard Gazette reported, the study suggests that Lightning may be the primary spark to activate these gases. And converting it into reactive compounds such as carbon monoxide, formic acid, nitrate, nitrite and ammonium ions.
These materials, produced by lightning’s contact with gases in the atmosphere, were essential for the birth and survival of the first forms of life on Earth.
The research was led by George M. Whitesides, a professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Harvard University, and was based on experiments that recreated conditions on early Earth. For this, they used an electrochemical plasma system. This system allowed the scientists to simulate the high-energy electrical discharges that were common on the planet billions of years ago, and showed how these rays triggered complex chemical reactions at the interfaces between gas, liquid, and solid phases.
How does this hypothesis affect the search for extraterrestrial life, according to Harvard University?
However, the uniqueness of lightning, according to the Harvard study, rests on its ability to stimulate electrochemistry through different interfaces, enabling communication between the atmosphere, oceans and land, as well as exciting high concentrations of biomolecules locally.
This study sheds light on the possible origins of life on Earth and also provides new perspectives for the search for life on other planets. The researchers highlighted that Similar processes can occur elsewhere in the universe, where the presence of radiation and electrochemistry are linked. It would contribute to The emergence of extraterrestrial life. The analysis also opens the door to new applications in chemical manufacturing and environmental processes, such as fertilizer production.
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