Microscale chaotic advection enables enhanced surface electrochemistry in hydrothermal pore environments
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15CBMS-0001. We report results that may help shed light on the open question of how complex macromolecules spontaneously emerged from elementary building blocks in the prebiotic ocean by considering microliter-scale chaotic thermal transport in porous mineral formations near subsea hydrothermal vents. Surprisingly complex 3D flows arise within these tiny pore networks that are able to continually shuttle molecular precursors from the bulk fluid to targeted locations on solid boundaries. Using simulations and experiments that allow us to directly probe the space within a single pore, we show these species can assemble into membrane-like films capable of electrochemically generating pH gradients.
