Radiolytically reworked Archean organic matter in a habitable deep ancient high-temperature brine

Devan M. Nisson (), Clifford C. Walters, Martha L. Chacón-Patiño, Chad R. Weisbrod, Thomas L. Kieft, Barbara Sherwood Lollar, Oliver Warr, Julio Castillo, Scott M. Perl, Errol D. Cason, Barry M. Freifeld and Tullis C. Onstott
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Devan M. Nisson: Princeton University
Clifford C. Walters: University of Texas
Martha L. Chacón-Patiño: National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Chad R. Weisbrod: National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Thomas L. Kieft: New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Barbara Sherwood Lollar: University of Toronto
Oliver Warr: University of Ottawa
Julio Castillo: University of the Free State
Scott M. Perl: California Institute of Technology
Errol D. Cason: University of the Free State
Barry M. Freifeld: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Tullis C. Onstott: Princeton University

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: Abstract Investigations of abiotic and biotic contributions to dissolved organic carbon (DOC) are required to constrain microbial habitability in continental subsurface fluids. Here we investigate a large (101–283 mg C/L) DOC pool in an ancient (>1Ga), high temperature (45–55 °C), low biomass (102−104 cells/mL), and deep (3.2 km) brine from an uranium-enriched South African gold mine. Excitation-emission matrices (EEMs), negative electrospray ionization (–ESI) 21 tesla Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS), and amino acid analyses suggest the brine DOC is primarily radiolytically oxidized kerogen-rich shales or reefs, methane and ethane, with trace amounts of C3–C6 hydrocarbons and organic sulfides. δ2H and δ13C of C1–C3 hydrocarbons are consistent with abiotic origins. These findings suggest water-rock processes control redox and C cycling, helping support a meagre, slow biosphere over geologic time. A radiolytic-driven, habitable brine may signal similar settings are good targets in the search for life beyond Earth.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41900-8

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