Abstract

Many rocky bodies in our solar system, including Early Earth and Mars, are comprised of (Mg,Fe,Ca)-silicate rocks.  As surface-derived fluids enter the subsurface and circulate through such rocks, there is the potential to produce several forms of C, N and P considered important for prebiotic reaction networks, even when the water/rock reactions occur at low, non-hydrothermal temperatures. Using a combination of field-based observations from mafic and ultrmafic rock-hosted systems, as well as laboratory experiments with (Mg,Fe)-silicates and -hydroxides, we have been exploring reaction pathways that may produce fluxes of reduced nitrogen and phosphorous.  We are also testing whether or not appreciable synthesis of amino acids can proceed.  In this talk, I will share new insights into the subsurface chemical states we observe that should be conducive to prebiotic synthesis and how they would productively interface with reaction networks proposed for Early Earth and Mars surface environments.