Chemistry from the Deep: Geomimicry

Hydrothermal vent
Source: Geotimes.org

Lots of fascinating chemistry occurs in places humans can't routinely visit. Deep-sea hydrothermal vents, super-hot fissures formed from volcanic activity below the ocean floor, produce plumes of minerals and organic compounds. Through "geomimicry," researchers hope to harness similar conditions for use in labs here on dry land.

A team from Arizona State University - a geochemist, a biogeochemist, and a physical chemist  - report in JOC ASAP some interesting oxidation conditions using only copper salts and hot, pressurized water. With cupric chloride as an additive, benzyl alcohol and phenylacetic acid are oxidized to the corresponding benzaldehyde and benzoic acid in water at 250 Celsius and 40 bar (580 psi). The researchers speculate that the copper ions form different chloride species at high T and P, capable of promoting a series of single-electron transfers out of the organic substrates.


The article closes on an intriguing, somewhat humbling note:

"The vast majority of the organic material on Earth does not participate in the familiar, conventional surface carbon cycle because it is located deep within the crust and therefore undergoes chemical reactions under hydrothermal conditions. In contrast to the majority of reactions close to ambient [temperature and pressure], which tend to be controlled by enthalpic and kinetic factors, reactions...under geochemically relevant conditions tend to be controlled by entropic and thermodynamic forces...this suggests that much new useful organic chemistry may be inspired...by geology."

In other words, the reactions and catalysis we tend to study in labs "above ground" are just the tip of the organic chemistry iceberg....err, volcano?

"Hot Rocks" Cause Injury, Mystery

As reported on Yahoo / GMA (video), and by the ever-vigilant Jyllian Kemsley over at Safety Zone, a real-life chemical mystery is unfolding. A few days ago, a California couple strolled the beach with their kids, and pocketed a few interesting-looking rocks they had found. Later that evening, the rocks caught fire while in Lyn Hiner's pants pocket, with a "...bright, intense flame," that, according to reports, couldn't be patted or smothered out. The resulting fire hospitalized both wife and husband with severe burns.

Source: AP

So, the question remains: what was on the rocks? The orange substance, found on green and gray surfaces, may indeed be "phosphorous" [sic], as mentioned by a mildly chemophobic (nearby nuclear plant, firing range?!) Associated Press report. A local geologist commented that the orange coloration is "...not natural, it's human made." With some imagination, you could probably come up with a few phosphorus alternatives (looking at you here, ExploSci!).

Pyrophoric Metals - Finely dispersed powders of magnesium, zinc, or thermite could certainly react with a little acid or moisture. However, these don't fit the bill as "orange substances."


Flash powder - Often used in special effects and flares. This blend of oxidizers and reactive metals would have to have been intentionally placed on the rocks, since they wouldn't have remained stable for long, out in the open air.


Reactive Groups - Many organic groups react with violent decomposition or exotherms when sparked, touched, or heated. Although certainly far-fetched, someone fooling around with picrates, nitrates, or perchlorates could have inadvertently doped the stones in question. There's at least a few dozen of these salts around, and many (iron perchlorate, mercury fulminate, ammonium picrate) may actually be orange or yellow-colored.

LFTB - Not Just Meat (Thanks, Internet!)

The Luning-Fencemaker Belt
Looks like you drive out of Reno on US80, then hike in...
Credit: University of GA Geology Dept.

Over at Sci Am blogs, I've recently written a post about LFTB, the processed meat product some call safe and others call "slime." When I first heard read the acronym, I thought it would be a snap to find information, since that can't stand for too many other things...right?

LFTB means:


An Airport in Southern France - Marginane looks like a quaint little place to visit! This designation "LFTB," an ICAO code, helps direct air-traffic controllers.

A Geological Formation - The Luning-Fencemaker Fold-Thrust Belt, a twist of rock in Nevada. Apparently, you can date rocks and determine geological events using argon isotope data. The More You Know (TM), I guess.

Early Biofuels Research? - A now-defunct New Zealand-based organization, the Liquid Fuels Trust Board, seemed to be among the early pioneers in developing waste-derived fuels and methanol-powered vehicles.

An Anti-Litter Campaign - Thunder Bay, ON, Canada, would like to remind you to keep their community spotless, and wants to instill a "litter consciousness" in its townsfolk. Bonus Geographical Moment: Thunder Bay sits on Lake Superior, right across from Isle Royale and Pie Island. Sounds beautiful.

Flight School: Want to Drive an Airbus? Lufthansa, the German airline, operates 11 flight simulators at  a facility in Berlin, which can teach pilots to fly all the big craft, from Boeing 777s to Airbus A320-200s.