Iron Sulfides in Hot Springs: Key to Life's Origins on Earth?
New research suggests that ancient hot springs, similar to those found today in places like Yellowstone National Park, may have played a crucial role in the emergence of life on Earth. The study highlights the potential of iron sulfides, minerals found in these springs, to facilitate carbon fixation, a key process in the development of life. By simulating early Earth conditions, researchers demonstrated that iron sulfides could produce methanol, supporting the idea that both land-based hot springs and deep-sea hydrothermal vents contributed to the origin of life.