Could life on Earth have emerged not from shallow pools of organic soup, but from the deep reservoirs of primordial hydrocarbons? Primordial Hydrocarbons re-examines the origins of life through the lens of abiogenic petroleum formation, reconnecting with the groundbreaking work of Alexander Oparin while integrating modern geochemistry, astrobiology, and systems chemistry.
This book explores the possibility that petroleum deposits are not merely the remnants of ancient biomass but could instead be the byproducts of deep Earth processes that predate biological evolution. By investigating methane-rich environments, hydrothermal vents, and the role of complex carbon molecules in planetary chemistry, it challenges conventional biogenic models and presents a compelling case for hydrocarbon-rich environments as potential cradles for prebiotic chemistry.
Blending historical scientific inquiry with contemporary research, Primordial Hydrocarbons invites readers to reconsider the fundamental question: Did life emerge from organic molecules created by biology, or did biology arise from hydrocarbons that predate life itself?
