Prebiotic ammonia from reduction of nitrite by iron (II) on the early Earth

Reduced nitrogen-containing compounds, especially ammonia, are essential for the origin of life. These compounds are synthesized in reducing or fixing atmospheres by electrical discharges. A geochemical study of the early stages of the Earth indicates that it had an non-reducing atmosphere. Under such conditions, electrical discharges would produce nitrogen monoxide compounds. This would cause acid rain that flowed into the oceans, which had iron. Iron in the ocean may have reacted with the nitrogen in the acid rain to create nitrogen reduced compounds, thereby producing conditions favorable for the origin of life.