Underwater Electricity May Have Originated Life on Earth

Underwater Electricity May Have Originated Life on Earth

If fully verified, this new hypothesis would drastically change the methods of searching for extraterrestrial life

The origin of life on Earth could be found in natural power plants 1,000 meters deep on the seabed, according to a finding by a group of Japanese scientists confirmed & show the Live Science.


A team from Japan's JAMSTEC and the Japanese research institute Riken discovered electric currents from several hundred naturally occurring mini volts near hydrothermal vents. The finding was made 150 kilometers from the island of Okinawa.

"This (uncovered) electricity is the source of several organic reactions to the synthesis of biological molecules, such as amino acids, sugars, and lipids," he said. EFE researcher Masahiro Yamamoto told JAMSTEC.

The study showed that when hot water from the underwater hydrothermal vents - chirps or fumaroles on the seafloor - is cooled, a movement of electrons occurs, which translates into the formation of electricity.

Earth Has Its Origin

The theory that life on Earth has its origin in the deep sea, near hydrothermal springs, already existed, but this research claims that the electricity generated around them played a fundamental role.

The hydrothermal fluid (hot water) from these submarine sources contains many gases, such as hydrogen sulfide, and metal ions, such as iron and copper.

Following the same mechanism used by fuel cells - used, for example, in electric cars - hot, hydrogen-rich water can easily transfer electrons, and oxygen-rich marine water can receive them. generates an electric current and Live Science and technology news.

This discovery, which "brings a new perspective to the process of formation of mineral deposits and ecosystems," would open new doors in other areas.

For example, says Yamamoto, considering the possibility that life on Earth could be generated by the currents of the seabed, "the methods of exploring extraterrestrial life could be changed dramatically."