Serpentinization Archives

Phosphite-dependent phosphorylation over Pd0 in the palaeoecological context of molecular, metabolic and bioenergetic evolution in serpentinizing hydrothermal vents: a chemically reactive site of concomitant organic synthesis and phosphorylation, immune over millennia to disruption by occasional thunderstorms, wind, drought, erosion, UV light, landslides, tsunamis or any combination of the above, and independent of the low solubility of phosphate. -- biorxiv.org

Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report

Metal-catalyzed Phosphorylation By Phosphite At The Origin Of Bioenergetics

by Keith CowingJune 22, 2026June 21, 2026

How did phosphate become the universal energetic currency of life? Traditional approaches to phosphorylation in early evolution studies entail oven drying, non-aqueous solvents, dangerously reactive forms of phosphorus, or other […]

16S rRNA amplicon sequencing data of fluids collected from each borehole (A) prior and (B) post 2H incubation. Horizontal bars show relative abundance of 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing variants. Sample names capture the borehole, depth in meters, and whether the DNA was obtained from environmental fluids or a specific SIP experimental condition. -- Nature via PubMed

Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Habitable Zones, Microbiology & Virology, Status Report

Microbial Growth Rates Captured Using Raman-SIP reveal A Highly Active Subsurface Biosphere Fueled By Serpentinization

by Keith CowingMay 24, 2026May 24, 2026

Microbial productivity, metabolite fluxes, nutrient cycling and biosignatures are directly linked to microbial growth rates, which remain largely unknown in subsurface environments.

Schematic diagram showing the relative depths of the CROMO well array, Quarry Valley and Core Shed Wells, with reference to the lithostratigraphic levels from CSW1-1 cores. Depth of the well, in meters, is shown below each well in the cartoon. In the field, water levels differed slightly. Stars suggest zones of inferred lateral flow of water from formation in CSW1-4 and QV1-3 . Redrawn after Cardace et al. (2013). -- Frontiers in Microbiology

Astrogeology, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Fossils & Paleontology, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Sample Return, Status Report

Lipid Biomarkers Reveal Dominance Of Aerobic Methanotrophy In A Continental Serpentinizing System

by Keith CowingApril 3, 2026April 3, 2026

Sources and sinks of methane within an advanced serpentinization-influenced system were investigated at the Coast Range Ophiolite Microbial Observatory (CROMO) in Lower Lake, California. Subsurface water-rock reactions at CROMO contribute […]

It shimmers and sparkles in the deep sea: Under the protruding flange of the hydrothermal vent on the Knipovich Ridge, hot fluids reflect the light due to their optical properties. The image was taken during Expedition MSM131 with the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) MARUM-QUEST 4000. Photo: MARUM – Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen.

Away Teams & Field Reports, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Habitable Zones, Press Release, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving, Sample Return, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

Organic Carbon In A Submarine Pressure Cooker

by Keith CowingJanuary 7, 2026January 7, 2026

The mid-ocean ridge runs through the oceans like a suture. Where the Earth’s plates move apart, new oceanic crust is continuously formed. This is often accompanied by magmatism and hydrothermal […]

Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return

Mars Perseverance Sample: Green Gardens

by Keith CowingApril 11, 2025April 11, 2025

This image shows a cylinder of rock the size of a piece of classroom chalk inside the drill of NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover. The sample, dubbed “Green Gardens,” was taken […]

Martian surface outside of Jezero Crater taken by NASA’s Perseverance on Dec. 25, 2024, at the site where the rover cored a sample dubbed “Silver Mountain” from a rock likely formed during Mars’ earliest geologic period. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS larger image

Astrogeology, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs

Perseverance Studies The Rim Of Jezero Crater

by Keith CowingApril 10, 2025April 10, 2025

Scientists with NASA’s Perseverance rover are exploring what they consider a veritable Martian cornucopia full of intriguing rocky outcrops on the rim of Jezero Crater. Studying rocks, boulders, and outcrops […]

Global distribution of serpentinization-influenced environments that have been investigated microbiologically and those that hosted 70 publicly available shotgun metagenomes used in the meta-analysis of this review. Geologic systems are indicated by points and abbreviations on the map, with those in green hosting metagenomes that were used in the meta-analysis of this review. Bottom left insert shows the pH distribution of water samples from which the metagenomes were derived, as reported by the original publication. Additional information for metagenomes is shown in Supplementary Table 1. Abbreviations are defined as follows (and further identified in Supplementary Table 1). NEY: Ney Springs; CED: The Cedars; CROMO: Coast Range Ophiolite Microbial Observatory; SEO: Santa Elena Ophiolite; TBL: Tablelands Ophiolite; RHF: Rainbow Hydrothermal Field; LCHF: Lost City Hydrothermal Field; LVF: Logatchev Vent Field; AVF: Ashadze Vent Field; AUR: Aurora Seamount; LEKA: Leka Ophiolite; CDV: Cabeço de Vide; VOL: Voltri Massif; YAN: Yanartaş; ALL: Allas Springs; SAM: Samail Ophiolite; KMR: Khalilovsky Massif; KHF: Karei Hydrothermal Field; OCHF: Old City Hydrothermal Field; HHS: Hakuba Happo Hot Springs; MAN: Manleluag Spring; LCR: La Crouen Spring; PBHF: Prony Bay Hydrothermal Field. -- ISME via PubMed

Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Fossils & Paleontology, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

Microbial Ecology Of Serpentinite-hosted Ecosystems

by Keith CowingApril 8, 2025April 8, 2025

Serpentinization, the collective set of geochemical reactions initiated by the hydration of ultramafic rock, has occurred throughout Earth history and is inferred to occur on several planets and moons in […]

Conceptual illustration of terrestrial hot springs on early Earth -- Illustration by Alex Bosoy, Design & Illustration, LLC

Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Fossils & Paleontology, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Habitable Zones, Lava / magma ocean / Volcanic Worlds, Microbiology & Virology, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release

Possible Role Of Iron Sulfides In Creating Life In Terrestrial Hot Springs

by Keith CowingNovember 29, 2024November 29, 2024

An international team of scientists recently published a study highlighting the potential role of iron sulfides in the formation of life in early Earth’s terrestrial hot springs. According to the […]

Global distribution of serpentinization-influenced environments that have been1412 investigated microbiologically and those that hosted 70 publicly available shotgun1413 metagenomes used in the meta-analysis of this review. Geologic systems are indicated by1414 points and abbreviations on the map, with those in green hosting metagenomes that were used in1415 the meta-analysis of this review. Bottom left insert shows the pH distribution of water samples1416 from which the metagenomes were derived, as reported by the original publication. Additional1417 information for metagenomes is shown in Supplementary Table 1. Abbreviations are defined as1418 follows (and further identified in Supplementary Table 1). NEY: Ney Springs; CED: The1419 Cedars; CROMO: Coast Range Ophiolite Microbial Observatory; SEO: Santa Elena Ophiolite;1420 TBL: Tablelands Ophiolite; RHF: Rainbow Hydrothermal Field; LCHF: Lost City Hydrothermal1421 Field; LVF: Logatchev Vent Field; AVF: Ashadze Vent Field; AUR: Aurora Seamount; LEKA:1422 Leka Ophiolite; CDV: Cabeço de Vide; VOL: Voltri Massif; YAN: Yanartaş; ALL: Allas1423 Springs; SAM: Samail Ophiolite; KMR: Khalilovsky Massif; KHF: Karei Hydrothermal Field;1424 OCHF: Old City Hydrothermal Field; HHS: Hakuba Happo Hot Springs; MAN: Manleluag1425 Spring; LCR: La Crouen Spring; PBHF: Prony Bay Hydrothermal Field. -- biorxiv.org

Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Fossils & Paleontology, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

The Microbial Ecology of Serpentinites

by Keith CowingNovember 14, 2024

NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image, a nighttime mosaic of the Malgosa Crest abrasion patch at “Serpentine Rapids,” using its SHERLOC WATSON camera, located on the turret at the end of the rover's robotic arm. The diameter of the abrasion patch is 5 centimeters (about 2 inches) and the large green spot in the upper center left of the image is approximately 2 millimeters (about 0.08 inch) in diameter. Mosaic source images have been debayered, flat-fielded, and linearly color stretched. This image was acquired on Aug. 19, 2024 (sol 1243, or Martian day 1,243 of the Mars 2020 mission) at the local mean solar time of 19:45:30. NASA/JPL-Caltech Larger image

Astrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Fossils & Paleontology, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return, Status Report

Mars Perseverance Rover Observes Red Rocks With Green Spots at Serpentine Rapids – Possible Biosignatures?

by Keith CowingOctober 27, 2024October 27, 2024

Editor’s note: I will make this simple: did NASA find evidence of life on Mars? No. Did NASA find an interesting rock feature that might signal or indicate that there […]