2022 UW Astrobiology workshop at the Salt Lakes of the Cariboo Plateau, B.C. Canada

Environmental Analogs for the Origin of Life Why the lakes: Prebiotic phosphorylation uses ~0.1-1 M phosphate but natural waters are ~1 𝝻M. Lakes concentrate by evaporation or freezing solving this prebiotic “concentration problem”. Last Chance Lake is the most phosphate-rich in the world. Goodenough is also relatively phosphate-rich. Why? What was done: Sinking through crème brulee crust Syringe sampling below Last Chance’s salt crust & filtering Sediment Coring Sediment core porewater...