Can magnetism-assisted quasiperiodic structures in Russell-FeS `bubbles' offer a quantum coherent origin of life?

Abstract

This paper seeks to expand the scope of the alkaline seepage site hydrothermal mound scenario of Russell et al, by appealing to its wider canvas for hypothesizing self-assembly of gregite clusters via interplay of forces within the gel phase of FeS membranes: directed heat transport a la Rayleigh-Benard convection for dissociation, vs oriented attachment (small clusters) and magnetic forces (large clusters) for association, the latter assisted by magnetic mound constituents. The directed movement of tiny clusters through cluster layers are reminiscent of processes like budding, molecular motors, pre-RNA world on the lines of Cairns-Smith's hypothesis, and optical polarity. Higher rate of (soft) multinucleate formation vs growth rate of (rigid) microcrystals, correlates with icosahedral (forbidden crystallographically!) framboidal morphology. This pattern indicates a link to phylotaxis, thus reinforcing the quasi-periodicity connection which can provide a natural access to features like surface limit, anomalous transport and low thermal conductivity, while facilitating diffusion through clusters. And magnetism offers a hierarchy of features: primordial multicellularity; phase correlations of assembled molecules; overcoming thermal decoherence. These dynamical nested structures offer possibilities for iterative computations, adaptive learning, and coherent quantum searches. The link between enzymatic FeS clusters and the Hadean ocean floor is seen as part of a larger conceptual framework uncovering a role for Magnetism and the Origin of Life.