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Radiolytically reworked Archean organic matter in a habitable deep ancient high-temperature brine

Author

Listed:
  • Devan M. Nisson

    (Princeton University)

  • Clifford C. Walters

    (University of Texas)

  • Martha L. Chacón-Patiño

    (National High Magnetic Field Laboratory)

  • Chad R. Weisbrod

    (National High Magnetic Field Laboratory)

  • Thomas L. Kieft

    (New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology)

  • Barbara Sherwood Lollar

    (University of Toronto
    Université Paris Cité)

  • Oliver Warr

    (University of Ottawa)

  • Julio Castillo

    (University of the Free State)

  • Scott M. Perl

    (California Institute of Technology)

  • Errol D. Cason

    (University of the Free State)

  • Barry M. Freifeld

    (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)

  • Tullis C. Onstott

    (Princeton University)

Abstract

Investigations of abiotic and biotic contributions to dissolved organic carbon (DOC) are required to constrain microbial habitability in continental subsurface fluids. Here we investigate a large (101–283 mg C/L) DOC pool in an ancient (>1Ga), high temperature (45–55 °C), low biomass (102−104 cells/mL), and deep (3.2 km) brine from an uranium-enriched South African gold mine. Excitation-emission matrices (EEMs), negative electrospray ionization (–ESI) 21 tesla Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS), and amino acid analyses suggest the brine DOC is primarily radiolytically oxidized kerogen-rich shales or reefs, methane and ethane, with trace amounts of C3–C6 hydrocarbons and organic sulfides. δ2H and δ13C of C1–C3 hydrocarbons are consistent with abiotic origins. These findings suggest water-rock processes control redox and C cycling, helping support a meagre, slow biosphere over geologic time. A radiolytic-driven, habitable brine may signal similar settings are good targets in the search for life beyond Earth.

Suggested Citation

  • Devan M. Nisson & Clifford C. Walters & Martha L. Chacón-Patiño & Chad R. Weisbrod & Thomas L. Kieft & Barbara Sherwood Lollar & Oliver Warr & Julio Castillo & Scott M. Perl & Errol D. Cason & Barry M, 2023. "Radiolytically reworked Archean organic matter in a habitable deep ancient high-temperature brine," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-41900-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41900-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Alexandra Moura & Michael A Savageau & Rui Alves, 2013. "Relative Amino Acid Composition Signatures of Organisms and Environments," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(10), pages 1-9, October.
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    3. G. Holland & B. Sherwood Lollar & L. Li & G. Lacrampe-Couloume & G. F. Slater & C. J. Ballentine, 2013. "Deep fracture fluids isolated in the crust since the Precambrian era," Nature, Nature, vol. 497(7449), pages 357-360, May.
    4. Barbara Sherwood Lollar & T. C. Onstott & G. Lacrampe-Couloume & C. J. Ballentine, 2014. "The contribution of the Precambrian continental lithosphere to global H2 production," Nature, Nature, vol. 516(7531), pages 379-382, December.
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    6. O. Warr & C. J. Ballentine & T. C. Onstott & D. M. Nisson & T. L. Kieft & D. J. Hillegonds & B. Sherwood Lollar, 2022. "86Kr excess and other noble gases identify a billion-year-old radiogenically-enriched groundwater system," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.
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