Volcanic Soda Lakes May Have Provided Key Phosphorus for Life's Origin

Phosphorus is essential for all life forms, from microorganisms to primates, as it is a crucial component of DNA, RNA, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and cell membrane lipids. However, phosphorus is scarce in most aquatic environments, which are believed to be the cradle of life. Recent studies in three newly published papers support the idea that highly alkaline "soda" lakes and volcanic activity around hot springs may have enabled the accumulation of phosphorus compounds to levels necessary for life's emergence.

The availability of phosphorus has long been considered a bottleneck for life's origin, a notion dating back to 1955. During the early Earth's history, volcanic activity was frequent, and phosphorus was present in volcanic lava. A research team from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute reported in a September 2024 study that iron-rich volcanic rock reacts with water at high temperatures, transforming phosphorus into various phosphates. If phosphate-rich water periodically evaporates, it could concentrate these compounds, fostering biochemical reactions essential for life.

In 2019, a research team from the University of Washington proposed that soda lakes might also serve as natural phosphorus concentrators. These lakes, formed in volcanic environments, enhance chemical accumulation through evaporation. Their study found that soda lakes typically contain high levels of phosphate because carbonate ions bind with calcium ions, preventing phosphorus from being trapped in sediments.

Meanwhile, a research team from the University of Cambridge suggested that while small soda lakes could provide only temporary conditions for early life, larger soda lakes—such as Mono Lake in California—offered a more stable phosphate supply. Although their phosphate concentrations were lower than those of smaller lakes, large soda lakes provided more sustained conditions favorable for the emergence of life.