Lightning strikes as a major facilitator of prebiotic phosphorus reduction on early Earth

Hydrated phosphides, such as schreibersite ((Fe, Ni)3P), facilitate the synthesis of phosphorus-bearing organic compounds. Meteorites, containing these phosphides, are considered a primary source of prebiotic reactive phosphorus. This study proposes lightning strikes as an alternative, arguing that they potentially formed significant amounts of phosphide, phosphite, and hypophosphite annually on early Earth. This suggests lightning could have been a substantial source of prebiotic reactive phosphorus, particularly concentrated on tropical landmasses. The study also proposes lightning as a continuous source of prebiotic reactive phosphorus, independent of meteorite flux, potentially facilitating life's emergence on other Earth-like planets.

Benjamin L. Hess, Sandra Piazolo, Jason Harvey