Selective chemical degradation of silica sinters of the Taupo Volcanic Zone (New Zealand). Implications for early Earth and Astrobiology.

Most organic matter (OM) on Earth occurs as kerogen-like materials, that is naturally formed macromolecules insoluble with standard organic solvents. The formation of this insoluble organic matter (IOM) is a topic of much interest, especially when it limits the detection of compounds of geomicrobiological interest. For example, studies that search for biomarker evidence of life on early Earth or other planets usually use solvent-based extractions.