Look- an article in Nature. Well, a Nature-family journal, Scientific Reports. In vol. 15:
Tenuta, S. Evans, K.A. Reddy, S.M. et al. Bio-mediated CN cycling in serpentinites and the origin of life 22452 s41598-025-04161-7
The origin of life is a door that lots of people would like to unlock. I’ve already written about -CN (cyano groups or radicals) as much-needed sources of reactivity and free nitrogen. Here, Tenuta et al. add serpentinites (hydrated silicates) as important substrates for life reactions. Hmm, serpentinites and other hydrated silicates (i. e., “clays”)… that describes the bulk of the CI and CM meteorites.
The CI- and CM-group carbonaceous chondrites are the water-rich meteorites. Clay is a major reservoir for bound (more or less) water; multiple CI and CM specimens have also been found with fluid inclusions- literal bubbles within rock, holding trapped water. Liquid water.
Between organics, water, cyanos, and clays as substrates, Tenuta et al. speculate that all the pieces are in place. The needed energy can come in the form of impacts, when c-chondrite meteorites strike a favorable target. If nothing else, the impact energy can mix the nitrogen. The authors specifically mention Ryugu and Bennu as sources and precursors.