So i’m not the most well versed in chemistry or biology but i know a fair bit of physics and geology, and i know that both CO2 and methane can form through geological processes. Which is why i was not that impressed by this news at first. But is there something more special about dimethyl sulfide that requires biotic processes? Couldn’t it also just come from something like volcanic activity?
my background is mostly biology, so correct me if wrong, but there is a way to industrially produce dimethyl sulfide of course but when occurring naturally on earth, it is exclusively produced by algae and other ocean dwelling microorganisms. it is also sometimes found in some plants i believe. it’s considered to be a pretty significant biosignature.
the possible detection of dimethyl sulfide on K2-18 b by JWST is incredible. one of the most convincing leads i’ve seen so far.
So i’m not the most well versed in chemistry or biology but i know a fair bit of physics and geology, and i know that both CO2 and methane can form through geological processes. Which is why i was not that impressed by this news at first. But is there something more special about dimethyl sulfide that requires biotic processes? Couldn’t it also just come from something like volcanic activity?
my background is mostly biology, so correct me if wrong, but there is a way to industrially produce dimethyl sulfide of course but when occurring naturally on earth, it is exclusively produced by algae and other ocean dwelling microorganisms. it is also sometimes found in some plants i believe. it’s considered to be a pretty significant biosignature.
That’s interesting.