Mineral Self-Assembly and the Origins of Life (video) Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) Share Print E-Mail Loading video... Caption A team led by scientists from the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) has confirmed that in natural alkaline waters characterized by a high pH, silica is capable of making complex self-assembling mineral structures. In the paper, which appears in the journal Science Advances, the team's scientists suggest that silica-provoked self-organization would have been a common phenomenon on early Earth, as well as on planets like ours, where alkaline environments were widespread. Credit CSIC Communications Department Usage Restrictions None Share Print E-Mail Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.