Clay Minerals and the Origin of LifeThis volume is the edited proceedings of a conference seeking to clarify the possible role of clays in the origin of life on Earth. At the heart of the problem of the origin of life lie fundamental questions such as: What kind of properties is a model of a primitive living system required to exhibit and what would its most plausible chemical and molecular makeup be? Answers to these questions have traditionally been sought in terms of properties that are held to be common to all contemporary organisms. However, there are a number of different ideas both on the nature and on the evolutionary priority of 'common vital properties', notably those based on protoplasmic, biochemical and genetic theories of life. This is therefore the first area for consideration in this volume and the contributors then examine to what extent the properties of clay match those required by the substance which acted as the template for life. |
Contents
The clay hypothesis | 10 |
STRUCTURES AND FORCES | 23 |
Cation patterns and information storage | 41 |
CLAY SYNTHESIS | 64 |
Synthesis by way of hydroxide silica gels | 71 |
CLAYS ON THE EARLY EARTH | 79 |
Dysoxic environments as models for primordial | 97 |
CLAYS IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM | 105 |
Common terms and phrases
acids activity alteration aluminium appear atmosphere carbon carbonaceous catalysts cations Chapter charge chemical chemistry chondrites clay minerals complex components composition compounds concentration containing crystal crystallisation directions discussed domains early Earth effect elements energy environment evolution evolved example exchange experiments formation genes genetic glauconitic grains growth hydrothermal hydroxide illite important initial interesting interlayer ions iron kaolinite kind layer lead less Mars material matter mechanisms metal meteorites mica molecular molecules montmorillonite nature observed occur octahedral ordering organic organic molecules origin oxidation oxygen particles patterns phases phenotype positions possible Precambrian precipitates present probably problem production properties question range reactions replication result rocks sediments selection sheet silica similar smectite soil solution specific stage structure studies suggested surface synthesis temperatures tetrahedral types unit Viking weathering
Popular passages
Page 183 - Interlayer and intercalation complexes of clay minerals. In: Crystal Structures of Clay minerals and their X-ray identification.