The Sources of Phosphorus on the Primitive Earth--An Inquiry

Abstract

A discussion of the sources of P for the mol. evolution of life is presented. One hypothesis, shown by expts. to be possible, involves phosphorylation catalyzed by apatite, the only significant form of P on the earth's surface. A 2nd hypothesis involves concn.-sequestration of satd. solns. of apatite; this was only tested by computation. A third speculative proposal involves volatilization of P. The mineralogy of P in meteorites and the redn. of P are also discussed. [on SciFinder(R)]