Volatile Phosphorus Compounds from Analogs of Schreibersite
Advisor(s)
Dr. Christopher Spiese
Confirmation
1
Document Type
Poster
Location
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Start Date
11-4-2025 10:00 AM
End Date
11-4-2025 10:50 AM
Abstract
Volatile phosphorus compounds are a potential biosignature as well as potentially important compounds in the development of early life on Earth. Phosphine (PH3) was recently detected in the cloud deck of Venus without any known abiotic formation pathway. This study investigates the production of phosphine from analogs of the meteoritic mineral schreibersite ((Fe,Ni)3P). Identification of PH3 and diphosphine (P2H4) was accomplished by GC-MS and quantification by GC-FPD. Calibration of FPD signals remains a challenge, but utilization of Zn3P2 in NaOH is showing promising results. A schrebersite analog, Fe3P, was examined under various conditions and both P2H4 production was found in all samples. The presence of organic compounds increased both P2H4 and Fe2+ in samples after 7 d. These results indicate that schrebersite may have provided a readily available source of P for early life on Earth and may suggest an as-yet unstudied pathway for abiotic formation of volatile P in the Venutian cloud deck.
Recommended Citation
Pacek, Emily Joy, "Volatile Phosphorus Compounds from Analogs of Schreibersite" (2025). ONU Student Research Colloquium. 20.
https://digitalcommons.onu.edu/student_research_colloquium/2025/Posters/20
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Volatile Phosphorus Compounds from Analogs of Schreibersite
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Volatile phosphorus compounds are a potential biosignature as well as potentially important compounds in the development of early life on Earth. Phosphine (PH3) was recently detected in the cloud deck of Venus without any known abiotic formation pathway. This study investigates the production of phosphine from analogs of the meteoritic mineral schreibersite ((Fe,Ni)3P). Identification of PH3 and diphosphine (P2H4) was accomplished by GC-MS and quantification by GC-FPD. Calibration of FPD signals remains a challenge, but utilization of Zn3P2 in NaOH is showing promising results. A schrebersite analog, Fe3P, was examined under various conditions and both P2H4 production was found in all samples. The presence of organic compounds increased both P2H4 and Fe2+ in samples after 7 d. These results indicate that schrebersite may have provided a readily available source of P for early life on Earth and may suggest an as-yet unstudied pathway for abiotic formation of volatile P in the Venutian cloud deck.