Planetary conditions at the Hadean and Archean transition : possible scenarios for the origin of life / Julio Valdivia-Silva ... [et al.].

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Valdivia-Silva, Julio.

Series:

Earth sciences in the 21st century series.

Space science, exploration and policies series.

Earth sciences in the 21st century

Space science, exploration and policies

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Life--Origin.

Life.

Molecular evolution.

Planets--Origin.

Planets.

Planets--Surfaces.

Geology, Stratigraphic--Archaean.

Geology, Stratigraphic.

Earth (Planet)--Surface.

Earth (Planet).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (102 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

New York : Nova Science Publishers, Inc., c2011.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Earth's primordial conditions at the beginning of geologic history (Hadean Eon) witnessed several fundamental processes, including cooling and crystallisation of a magma ocean, the Moon-formation impact event, the faint young sun paradox, the late heavy bombardment (LHB), origin of pre-biotic molecules and probably life itself, as well as the transition from reduced to oxidised outer Earth's layers. This book assesses and analyses the latest information about the primitive Earth's environments in the Hadean to Archean transition, including the faint young sun paradox, possible reservoirs of pre-biotic molecules, early carbon cycle and the most favourable niches for the emergence of life.

Contents:

Intro

PLANETARY CONDITIONS AT THE HADEAN AND ARCHEAN TRANSITION: POSSIBLE SCENARIOS FOR THE ORIGIN OF LIFE

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA

CONTENTS

PREFACE

Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION

Chapter 2: HADEAN EARTH

2.1. TEMPORAL LIMITS

2.2. MAGMA OCEAN

2.3. LATE HEAVY BOMBARDMENT

2.4. REDOX STATE OF THE PRIMITIVE MANTLE

2.5. PRIMITIVE LITHOSPHERE

2.6. PLATE TECTONICS AND MINERAL EVOLUTION

Chapter 3: GEOPHYSICAL ASPECTS OF EARTH'S PRIMITIVE OUTER LAYERS

3.1. INTRODUCTION

3.2. THE YOUNG FAINT SUN PARADOX

3.3. THE EARTH'S EARLY MAGNETOSPHERE

3.4. COSMIC RAYS AND THE EARLY EARTH

3.5. HYDROSPHERE

3.6. ATMOSPHERE

Chapter 4: THE CHEMICAL APPROACH TO THE ORIGIN OF LIFE

4.1. THE HETEROTROPHIC HYPOTHESIS

4.2. AUTOTROPHIC HYPOTHESIS

4.3. ENERGY AND MATTER ON EARLY EARTH

4.3.1. Energy Sources of Early Earth

4.3.2. Organic Matter Sources

4.4. STABILITY OF ORGANIC COMPOUNDS IN THE PRIMITIVE EARTH

4.5. CHEMICAL COMPONENTS IN CONTEMPORARY LIFE

4.6. PREBIOTIC CHEMISTRY

4.6.1. The Oparin-Haldane Hypothesis

4.6.2. Simulated Experiments

4.6.3. RNA World

4.6.4. Thioester World

4.6.5. Pre-Rna World

4.6.6. Clay Theory

4.6.7. Thermal Vents

4.7. THE OPTICAL ACTIVITY PROBLEM

4.8. REMARKS

Chapter 5: PRE-CELLULAR SYSTEMS AND FIRST ORGANISMS

5.1. EARLIEST FOSSILS AND PALEONTOLOGY

Chapter 6: DISCUSSION

REFLECTIONS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF DIFFERENT ENERGY SOURCES

WHEN AND WHERE LIFE ORIGINATED ON EARTH?

REFERENCES

INDEX.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [63]-85) and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

1-62081-488-9

OCLC:

834143013