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Prebiotic Nitrogen Fixation by FeS Reduction of Nitrite Under Acidic ConditionsTheories for the origin of life require the availability of reduced nitrogen for the formation of such species as amino acid and nucleic acids. In a strongly reducing atmosphere, compounds essential to the chemical evolution of life, such as amino acids, can form by reactions between HCN, NH3, and carbonyl compounds produced in spark discharges. However, under non-reducing atmospheres, electric discharges produced NO rather than HCN or NH3. This raises the questions of; how ammonia can be formed under a neutral atmosphere, and what conditions are needed such formation to occur? On possibility is the conversion of NO into nitric and nitrous acids (through HNO) and rained into the oceans. The reduction of nitrite by aqueous Fe(II) (6 Fe(+2) + 7 H(+) + NO2(-) yields 6 Fe(III) + 2 H2O + NH3) such as was present on the early Earth could then have produced ammonia. However, this reaction does not proceed at pHs less than 7.3. An alternative is reduction by other forms of Fe(II), such as FeS. We will present results that show that FeS can reduce nitrite to ammonia at pHs as low as pH 5 under a variety of conditions.
Document ID
20020080857
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Summers, David P.
(Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Inst. Moffett Field, CA United States)
Mead, Susan C.
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
March 19, 1999
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Meeting Information
Meeting: 9th ISSOL Meeting
Location: San Diego, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: July 11, 1999
End Date: July 16, 1999
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NCC2-836
PROJECT: RTOP 344-38-22-12
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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