Serpentinites, Hydrogen, and Life
Abstract
Research Article| April 01, 2013 Serpentinites, Hydrogen, and Life Thomas M. McCollom; Thomas M. McCollom 1CU Center for Astrobiology & Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space PhysicsCampus Box 600, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0600, USAE-mail: mccollom@lasp.colorado.edu Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Jeffrey S. Seewald Jeffrey S. Seewald 2Dept. of Marine Chemistry & Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic InstitutionWoods Hole, MA 02543, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Elements (2013) 9 (2): 129–134. https://doi.org/10.2113/gselements.9.2.129 Article history first online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Thomas M. McCollom, Jeffrey S. Seewald; Serpentinites, Hydrogen, and Life. Elements 2013;; 9 (2): 129–134. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/gselements.9.2.129 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyElements Search Advanced Search Abstract The process of serpentinization creates strongly reducing conditions and produces fluids that are highly enriched in molecular hydrogen and methane. Some microorganisms are able to exploit these compounds to gain metabolic energy and to generate biomass, leading to the development of biological communities based on chemical energy rather than photosynthesis. The abundance of chemical energy and favorable conditions for organic synthesis make serpentinites a strong candidate for the site of the origin of life on Earth, as well as a prime target in the search for life elsewhere in our Solar System. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.
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On the early Earth, serpentinizing systems were probably more abundant than today.
“On the early Earth they were probably more abundant than today.”
From Serpentinization as the source of energy, electrons, organics, catalysts, nutrients and pH gradients for the origin of LUCA and life (2023) · cites this paper as McCollom and Seewald, 2013
In subsurface reduction models, the source of reductant for origins is geochemical and continuous: H2 supplied by serpentinization.
“In subsurface reduction models, the source of reductant for origins is geochemical and continuous: H2 supplied by serpentinization.”
From Serpentinization as the source of energy, electrons, organics, catalysts, nutrients and pH gradients for the origin of LUCA and life (2023) · cites this paper as McCollom and Seewald, 2013
The electrons released by serpentinization reduce H2O to H2 which in turn reduces CO2 to CH4 and organics.
“The electrons released by serpentinization reduce H2O to H2 which in turn reduces CO2 to CH4 and organics (Sleep et al., 2004; Martin et al., 2008; Sleep et al., 2011; McCollom and Seewald, 2013).”
From Serpentinization as the source of energy, electrons, organics, catalysts, nutrients and pH gradients for the origin of LUCA and life (2023) · cites this paper as McCollom and Seewald, 2013
On the early Earth the lithosphere was not yet differentiated and higher mantle temperatures allowed ultramafic lava to erupt on Earth's surface, such that ultramafic rocks were probably much more exposed to the surface oceans than today, meaning that serpentinization was almost certainly much more prevalent on early Earth than now.
“On the early Earth the lithosphere was not yet differentiated and higher mantle temperatures allowed ultramafic lava to erupt on Earth’s surface, such that ultramafic rocks were probably much more exposed to the surface oceans than today, meaning that serpentinization was almost certainly much more prevalent on early Earth than now (Sleep et al., 2004, 2011; McCollom and Seewald, 2013; Schrenk et”
From Serpentinization as the source of energy, electrons, organics, catalysts, nutrients and pH gradients for the origin of LUCA and life (2023) · cites this paper as McCollom and Seewald, 2013
Since olivine is the most abundant silicate mineral that condensed during the formation of the solar system, ultramafic rocks are not unique to Earth and probably ubiquitous in most, if not all, rocky bodies of the solar system.
“Since olivine is the most abundant silicate mineral that condensed during the formation of the solar system, ultramafic rocks are not unique to Earth and probably ubiquitous in most, if not all, rocky bodies of the solar system (McCollom and Seewald, 2013).”
From Serpentinization as the source of energy, electrons, organics, catalysts, nutrients and pH gradients for the origin of LUCA and life (2023) · cites this paper as McCollom and Seewald, 2013
Basically, wherever ultramafic rocks get in contact with circulating liquid water with temperatures below 350°C, serpentinization will occur.
“Basically, wherever ultramafic rocks get in contact with circulating liquid water with temperatures below 350°C, serpentinization will occur (McCollom and Seewald, 2013).”
From Serpentinization as the source of energy, electrons, organics, catalysts, nutrients and pH gradients for the origin of LUCA and life (2023) · cites this paper as McCollom and Seewald, 2013
Organic synthesis has been detected in Martian meteorites that date back 4 Ga which likely happened through serpentinization.
“Organic synthesis has been detected in Martian meteorites that date back 4 Ga which likely happened through serpentinization (McCollom and Seewald, 2013; Steele et al., 2022).”
From Serpentinization as the source of energy, electrons, organics, catalysts, nutrients and pH gradients for the origin of LUCA and life (2023) · cites this paper as McCollom and Seewald, 2013
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- Authors
- McCollom, T. M., & Seewald, J. S.
- Affiliations
- University of Colorado Boulder (US)
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (US)
- Corresponding author
- McCollom, T. M.
- ORCID
- McCollom, T. M.
- Venue
- Elements
- Publisher
- Mineralogical Society of America
- Published
- 2013-04-01
- Volume
- 9
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 129-134
- ISSN
- 1811-5209 (ISSN-L)
- 1811-5217
- OpenAlex
- W2327313516
- Cited by
- 230
- References
- 32
- Citations by year
- 2026: 23 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 18 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 3
- FWCI
- 8.28
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Elements (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Origins and Evolution of Life
- Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Paleontology › Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Planetary Science and Exploration
- Keywords
- serpentinization, serpentinite, molecular hydrogen, methane, chemosynthesis, origin of life, reducing conditions, search for extraterrestrial life, astrobiology
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