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Tytuł:
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Simulation of Early Earth Hydrothermal Chimneys in a Thermal Gradient Environment.
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Autorzy:
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Hermis N; NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology; .
LeBlanc G; The University of Tulsa.
Barge LM; NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology.
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Źródło:
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Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE [J Vis Exp] 2021 Feb 27 (168). Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Feb 27.
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Typ publikacji:
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Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.; Video-Audio Media
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Język:
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English
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Imprint Name(s):
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Original Publication: [Boston, Mass. : MYJoVE Corporation, 2006]-
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MeSH Terms:
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Computer Simulation*
Earth, Planet*
Hydrothermal Vents*
Temperature*
Oceans and Seas ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Solutions
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Substance Nomenclature:
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0 (Solutions)
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Entry Date(s):
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Date Created: 20210315 Date Completed: 20210416 Latest Revision: 20210416
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Update Code:
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20240104
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DOI:
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10.3791/61789
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PMID:
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33720128
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Deep sea hydrothermal vents are self-organizing precipitates generated from geochemical disequilibria and have been proposed as a possible setting for the emergence of life. The growth of hydrothermal chimneys in a thermal gradient environment within an early Earth vent system was successfully simulated by using different hydrothermal simulants, such as sodium sulfide, which were injected into an early Earth ocean simulant containing dissolved ferrous iron. Moreover, an apparatus was developed to sufficiently cool the ocean simulant to near 0 °C in a condenser vessel immersed in a cold water bath while injecting a sulfide solution at hot to room temperatures, effectively creating an artificial chimney structure in a temperature gradient environment over a period of a few hours. Such experiments with different chemistries and variable temperature gradients resulted in a variety of morphologies in the chimney structure. The use of ocean and hydrothermal fluid simulants at room temperature resulted in vertical chimneys, whereas the combination of a hot hydrothermal fluid and cold ocean simulant inhibited the formation of robust chimney structures. The customizable 3D printed condenser created for this study acts as a jacketed reaction vessel that can be easily modified and used by different researchers. It will allow the careful control of injection rate and chemical composition of vent and ocean simulants, which should help accurately simulate prebiotic reactions in chimney systems with thermal gradients similar to those of natural systems.