Unveiling Life's Origins: Deep-Sea Insights Beyond Biology

Chinese scientists have discovered abiotic organic compounds in the oceanic crust of the Southwest Indian Ridge, providing insights into deep-sea carbon cycles and the origins of life. This research, published in PNAS, highlights the role of mineral-catalyzed reactions in forming complex organic compounds, which could inform the search for life on other planets. The study combines multimodal microanalysis and density functional theory to explore abiotic organic synthesis, emphasizing the catalytic role of goethite in these processes.