Source: EARTH

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Context

The discovery of microlightning in water droplets challenges long held belief that life on Earth originated from lightning strikes offering an alternative explanation based on naturally occurring water sprays such as crashing waves & waterfalls.

Key Highlights

New Perspective on  Origin of Life:

The study challenges traditional Miller-Urey Hypothesis which suggested that lightning strikes in Earth early atmosphere led to formation of organic molecules.

It proposes that microlightning in water droplets could have played role in  creation of life building blocks.

Miller-Urey Experiment & Its Limitations:

Conducted in 1952 by Stanley Miller & Harold Urey experiment simulated early Earth conditions & demonstrated that electricity (lightning) could produce organic compounds.

However later studies argued that real lightning strikes were infrequent & mostly occurred over open ocean leading to rapid dispersal of organic molecules.

Discovery of Microlightning in Water Droplets:

The new study led by Stanford University chemist Richard Zare found that water droplets can generate tiny sparks or microlightning without external electricity.

This process occurs when water droplets split causing larger droplets to carry positive charge & smaller ones a negative charge. The movement of these droplets generates sparks.

Experimental Evidence Supporting Microlightning:

The researchers sprayed water into mixture of nitrogen, methane, carbon dioxide, ammonia similar to Earth early atmosphere.

This reaction led to  formation of organic molecules such as:

Hydrogen cyanide (key in amino acid formation)

Glycine (a simple amino acid)

Uracil (a building block of RNA)

Implications for Early Earth Conditions:

Unlike lightning which was rare & unpredictable, water droplets from crashing waves, waterfalls or splashes against rocks were ubiquitous on early Earth.

The study suggests that life may have originated in areas with abundant water spray such as shorelines or hydrothermal vents rather than open oceans.

Overcoming Limitations of  Miller-Urey Hypothesis:

This discovery addresses major concerns about  Miller Urey experiment:

Frequent water sprays could have consistently produced organic molecules.

The process is self sustaining & does not require external energy sources.

It suggests a more plausible & continuous method for organic synthesis.

Significance for Astrobiology:

The study hints that similar microlightning processes could occur on other planets with water droplets enhancing  search for extraterrestrial life.

Planets with water vapor such as Mars, Titan, or Europa could potentially host prebiotic chemistry.

Astrobiology – Key Concepts & Exploration

For more information, please refer to IAS GYAN

Sources:

INDIAN EXPRESS