Echoes of Life: What Fossil Molecules Reveal about Earth History
Encyclopedia
Echoes of Life: What Fossil Molecules Reveal about Earth History is a book written by Susan M. Gaines
, Geoffrey Eglinton
, and Jurgen Rullkotter concerning organic chemistry
and, in particular, the links between the living and the material Earth. It was published by Oxford University Press
in 2008.
. In early experiments, Alfred E. Treibs
identified organic molecules, which he extracted from various samples, as chemically altered chlorophyll
. He explained the chlorophyll as having come from plants that died millions of years ago. Since Treibs' discovery, hundreds of biomarkers (a term coined 25 years after Treibs' discovery) have been identified.
Chapter one, entitled Molecular Informants: A Changing Perspective of Organic Chemistry, gives a brief overview on the history of organic chemistry and explores the possibilities inherent in the science. It also describes how the authors first became interested in the subject and the work they have done within the field.
Chapter two entitled Looking to the Rocks: Molecular Clues to the Origin of Life looks at the findings of Sir Robert Robinson and Melvin Calvin
discovery's of organic compounds in petrol and the conversion of CO2 to organic molecules during photosynthesis
. Early experiments had shown that organic compounds can form spontaneously under conditions similar to the pre-biotic
era of earth. These findings led to speculation on the possible discovery on the origins of life. The chapter ends with the authors saying as a precursor to the next chapter
Chapter three entitled From the Moon to Mars: The Search for Extraterrestrial Life. A Carbonaceous
Meteorite
which was found in Hungary
in 1857, which was examined by Friedrich Wöhler
was found to have organic compounds which he believed were Extraterrestrial
in origin. The book moves on to Marcellin Berthelot
who in 1864 claimed to have found "petroleum-like hydrocarbons" in a meteorite found near Orgueil
. Louis Pasteur
also ran experiments on this meteor and concluded it was sterile and not capable of generating life. The discovery of the Murchison meteorite
also led to the finding of 70 amino acids most of which are not native to earth's biosphere. The authors look into the work done on samples brought back from the Apollo program missions. Geoffrey Eglinton one of the authors had been given a sample and although he knew there had never been life on the moon they had hoped to find organic compounds. None were found within those samples, which led to disappointment. These findings led the authors to speculate on the possibility of answering the question of whether there has ever been life on Mars
and if future missions will bring back viable samples for testing.
.
Bill Green, writing in Chemical & Engineering News
, called it "a remarkable book" and a "highly readable introduction to the field of organic geochemistry and that it also manages to capture the deep sense of curiosity and wonder associated with scientific investigation.".
In BioScience
, Karen Bushaw-Newton said that "those who are looking to broaden their knowledge of the connections between chemical compounds and the diversity of life, will find Echoes of Life well worth reading."
Katherine H. Freeman writing for Science
said that "the authors interweave an account of the development of biomarker research and sketches of what these fossil organic molecules tell us about the histories of Earth and life".
Susan M. Gaines
Susan M Gaines is an American writer. She is the author of Best of the West , Sacred Ground , Carbon Dreams , and co-author with Geoffrey Eglinton and Jurgen Rullkötter of Echoes of Life: What Fossil Molecules Reveal about Earth History . Her short stories have been nominated twice for the Pushcart...
, Geoffrey Eglinton
Geoffrey Eglinton
Geoffrey Eglinton, FRS is a British chemist and Emeritus Professor and Senior Research Fellow in Earth Sciences at Bristol University....
, and Jurgen Rullkotter concerning organic chemistry
Organic chemistry
Organic chemistry is a subdiscipline within chemistry involving the scientific study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparation of carbon-based compounds, hydrocarbons, and their derivatives...
and, in particular, the links between the living and the material Earth. It was published by Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press is the largest university press in the world. It is a department of the University of Oxford and is governed by a group of 15 academics appointed by the Vice-Chancellor known as the Delegates of the Press. They are headed by the Secretary to the Delegates, who serves as...
in 2008.
Synopsis
Echoes of Life chronicles the history of the discipline of organic geochemistryOrganic geochemistry
Organic geochemistry is the study of the impacts and processes that organisms have had on the Earth. The study of organic geochemistry is usually traced to the work of Alfred E. Treibs, "the father of organic geochemistry." Treibs first isolated metalloporphyrins from petroleum. This discovery...
. In early experiments, Alfred E. Treibs
Alfred E. Treibs
Alfred E. Treibs was a German organic chemist who is credited with founding the area of organic geochemistry. He received his PhD under Hans Fischer at the Technical University of Munich. Fischer had received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for elucidating the structures of porphyrins. In the...
identified organic molecules, which he extracted from various samples, as chemically altered chlorophyll
Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll is a green pigment found in almost all plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. Its name is derived from the Greek words χλωρος, chloros and φύλλον, phyllon . Chlorophyll is an extremely important biomolecule, critical in photosynthesis, which allows plants to obtain energy from light...
. He explained the chlorophyll as having come from plants that died millions of years ago. Since Treibs' discovery, hundreds of biomarkers (a term coined 25 years after Treibs' discovery) have been identified.
Chapter one, entitled Molecular Informants: A Changing Perspective of Organic Chemistry, gives a brief overview on the history of organic chemistry and explores the possibilities inherent in the science. It also describes how the authors first became interested in the subject and the work they have done within the field.
Chapter two entitled Looking to the Rocks: Molecular Clues to the Origin of Life looks at the findings of Sir Robert Robinson and Melvin Calvin
Melvin Calvin
Melvin Ellis Calvin was an American chemist most famed for discovering the Calvin cycle along with Andrew Benson and James Bassham, for which he was awarded the 1961 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. He spent most of his five-decade career at the University of California, Berkeley.- Life :Calvin was born...
discovery's of organic compounds in petrol and the conversion of CO2 to organic molecules during photosynthesis
Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is a chemical process that converts carbon dioxide into organic compounds, especially sugars, using the energy from sunlight. Photosynthesis occurs in plants, algae, and many species of bacteria, but not in archaea. Photosynthetic organisms are called photoautotrophs, since they can...
. Early experiments had shown that organic compounds can form spontaneously under conditions similar to the pre-biotic
Abiogenesis
Abiogenesis or biopoesis is the study of how biological life arises from inorganic matter through natural processes, and the method by which life on Earth arose...
era of earth. These findings led to speculation on the possible discovery on the origins of life. The chapter ends with the authors saying as a precursor to the next chapter
Chapter three entitled From the Moon to Mars: The Search for Extraterrestrial Life. A Carbonaceous
Carbonaceous
Carbonaceous is the defining attribute of a substance rich in carbon. Particularly, carbonaceous hydrocarbons are very unsaturated, high-molecular-weight hydrocarbons, having an elevated carbon:hydrogen ratio....
Meteorite
Meteorite
A meteorite is a natural object originating in outer space that survives impact with the Earth's surface. Meteorites can be big or small. Most meteorites derive from small astronomical objects called meteoroids, but they are also sometimes produced by impacts of asteroids...
which was found in Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
in 1857, which was examined by Friedrich Wöhler
Friedrich Wöhler
Friedrich Wöhler was a German chemist, best known for his synthesis of urea, but also the first to isolate several chemical elements.-Biography:He was born in Eschersheim, which belonged to aau...
was found to have organic compounds which he believed were Extraterrestrial
Extraterrestrial life
Extraterrestrial life is defined as life that does not originate from Earth...
in origin. The book moves on to Marcellin Berthelot
Marcellin Berthelot
Marcelin Pierre Eugène Berthelot was a French chemist and politician noted for the Thomsen-Berthelot principle of thermochemistry. He synthesized many organic compounds from inorganic substances and disproved the theory of vitalism. He is considered as one of the greatest chemists of all time.He...
who in 1864 claimed to have found "petroleum-like hydrocarbons" in a meteorite found near Orgueil
Orgueil
Orgueil is a commune in the Tarn-et-Garonne department in the Midi-Pyrénées region in southern France.-History:Orgueil has existed for more than 1000 years. It was first mentioned in the 9th century, when Orgueil was part of Saint-Sernin Abbaye in Toulouse....
. Louis Pasteur
Louis Pasteur
Louis Pasteur was a French chemist and microbiologist born in Dole. He is remembered for his remarkable breakthroughs in the causes and preventions of diseases. His discoveries reduced mortality from puerperal fever, and he created the first vaccine for rabies and anthrax. His experiments...
also ran experiments on this meteor and concluded it was sterile and not capable of generating life. The discovery of the Murchison meteorite
Murchison meteorite
The Murchison meteorite is named after Murchison, Victoria, in Australia. It is one of the most studied meteorites due to its large mass , the fact that it was an observed fall, and it belongs to a group of meteorites rich in organic compounds....
also led to the finding of 70 amino acids most of which are not native to earth's biosphere. The authors look into the work done on samples brought back from the Apollo program missions. Geoffrey Eglinton one of the authors had been given a sample and although he knew there had never been life on the moon they had hoped to find organic compounds. None were found within those samples, which led to disappointment. These findings led the authors to speculate on the possibility of answering the question of whether there has ever been life on Mars
Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. The planet is named after the Roman god of war, Mars. It is often described as the "Red Planet", as the iron oxide prevalent on its surface gives it a reddish appearance...
and if future missions will bring back viable samples for testing.
Reception
The book has received positive reviews in specialist scientific journals such as Astrobiology and from the Astrobiology Society of BritainAstrobiology Society of Britain
The Astrobiology Society of Britain is a learned society dedicated to the understanding and advancement of astrobiology in the United Kingdom. The organisation is affiliated with NASA....
.
Bill Green, writing in Chemical & Engineering News
Chemical & Engineering News
Chemical & Engineering News is a weekly magazine published by the American Chemical Society, providing professional and technical information in the fields of chemistry and chemical engineering...
, called it "a remarkable book" and a "highly readable introduction to the field of organic geochemistry and that it also manages to capture the deep sense of curiosity and wonder associated with scientific investigation.".
In BioScience
BioScience
BioScience is a peer-reviewed monthly sometimes daily scientific journal that is published by the American Institute of Biological Sciences . The content is written and edited for accessibility to researchers, educators, and students alike...
, Karen Bushaw-Newton said that "those who are looking to broaden their knowledge of the connections between chemical compounds and the diversity of life, will find Echoes of Life well worth reading."
Katherine H. Freeman writing for Science
Science (journal)
Science is the academic journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and is one of the world's top scientific journals....
said that "the authors interweave an account of the development of biomarker research and sketches of what these fossil organic molecules tell us about the histories of Earth and life".