title: Evaluating experimental artifacts in hydrothermal prebiotic synthesis experiments.
abstract: Control experiments with ultra pure deionized water were conducted to evaluate the organic contamination in hydrothermal prebiotic experiments. Different combinations of reaction vessel material, sampling tubing and stirring were tested and the amounts of organic contaminants determined. All tested types of polymer tubing were proven to introduce organic contaminants (formate, acetate and propionate ions) into the reacting solution. Stainless steel has a catalytic effect on the decomposition of formate, consistent with earlier work at high temperatures and pressures.
authors.affiliation: NASA Astrobiology Institute and Department of Geosciences, State University of New York, Stony Brook, NY, USA. asmirnov@ic.sunysb.edu
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Smirnov
authors.forename: Martin A A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Schoonen
mesh_terms: D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000032:analysis*; D011108:Polymers; D012107:Research Design; D013193:Stainless Steel; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D009930:Organic Chemicals; D011108:Polymers; D014867:Water; D013193:Stainless Steel