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Alkaline vents recreated in two dimensions to study pH gradients, precipitation morphology and molecule accumulation
- Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- Alkaline vents (AV) are hypothesized to have been a setting for the emergence of life, by creating strong gradients across inorganic membranes within chimney structures. In the past, 3-dimensional chimney structures were formed under laboratory conditions, however, no in situ visualisation or testing of the gradients was possible. We develop a quasi-2-dimensional microfluidic model of alkaline vents that allows spatio-temporal visualisation of mineral precipitation in low volume experiments. Upon injection of an alkaline fluid into an acidic, iron-rich solution, we observe a diverse set of precipitation morphologies, mainly controlled by flow-rate and ion-concentration. Using microscope imaging and pH dependent dyes, we show that finger-like precipitates can facilitate formation and maintenance of microscale pH gradients and accumulation of dispersed particles in confined geometries. Our findings establish a model to investigate the potential of gradients across a semi-permeable boundary for early compartmentalisation, accumulation and chemical reactions at the origins of life.<br />Comment: 13 pages, 4 figures
Details
- Database :
- arXiv
- Publication Type :
- Report
- Accession number :
- edsarx.2303.10156
- Document Type :
- Working Paper