Origin of life: cold oceans? (Introduction)

by David Turell , Saturday, March 19, 2016, 05:03 (3171 days ago) @ David Turell

The current theory that the Earth was very warm at the time of the origin of life is now disputed. New study says it was cold:-https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/03/160317144620.htm-"Many researchers believe that Earth's early oceans were very hot, reaching 80° Celsius, and that life originated in these conditions. New findings may prove the opposite to be true. Harald Furnes, Professor Emeritus at the Department of Earth Science, has analysed volcanic and sedimentary rocks in the Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa. The volcanic rocks were deposited at depths of 2 to 4 kilometres.-"We have found evidence that the climate 3.5 billion years ago was a cold environment," says Furnes.-"Along with Professor Maarten de Wit from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, South Africa, Furnes has published the results in the journal Science Advances.-"The rocks analysed by Furnes and de Wit were formed at latitudes comparable with that of the Canary Islands. Some of the sedimentary rocks associated with the volcanic rocks, show a remarkable resemblance to those known from more recent ice ages.-"'This may indicate that Earth, 3.5 billion years ago, experienced an extensive, perhaps global, ice age," Furnes says.-"Past ocean temperatures are measured by analysing the relations between oxygen isotopes in rocks known as "chert," a rock composed of pure silicium-oxide. These South African rocks have been exposed to high temperatures. Even so, this is related to hydrothermal activity, or springs of extremely hot water, pumped from the ocean bed.-"Additionally, the researchers found more proof indicating that these rocks had been exposed to cold water. By examining finely grained sedimentary rocks (originally a claylike mud), that exists along with the deep-submarine volcanic rocks, the researchers found gypsum. Gypsum is produced under high pressure and at very cold temperatures, as in the present deep ocean.-"'In other words, we have found independant lines of evidence that the climate conditions at this time may have been quite similar to the conditions we have today," says Furnes."-Comment: More confusion about origin of life. Despite a lower general temperature, life could have started close to volcanic vents as has been proposed.