Researchers say they have uncovered evidence that early Earth was home to more hydrogen than previously thought, calling into question widely held beliefs about the origins of water and the evolution of our planet. Scientists from the University of Oxford analyzed a rare type of meteorite known as an enstatite chondrite. The space rock dates to around 4.6 billion years ago and is believed to be similar in composition to early Earth, according to a study published Wednesday in the journal Icarus. The researchers found that the majority of the hydrogen contained within the meteorite was intrinsic, rather than being present due to contamination, suggesting that early Earth would have been home to sufficient hydrogen to have allowed the formation of water molecules. This finding calls into question the widely held belief that hydrogen arrived on Earth in asteroids that bombarded what was previously a dry, rocky planet incapable of supporting life. “We assumed that Earth has water today because of quite a lucky scenario where it had been hit by these asteroids,” lead study author Tom Barrett, a doctoral student in the department of Earth sciences at the University of Oxford, told CNN on Wednesday. “But what we’ve demonstrated in this study is that actually the material which formed Earth in the first instance actually did contain a lot of hydrogen and oxygen,” he added. “The discovery of hydrogen in this meteorite means that Earth potentially could have been hydrated or wet from its initial formation.” As for why the levels of hydrogen identified in the study previously hadn’t been detected, Barrett explained the chemical element is hard to measure, particularly at such low concentrations. The detection was only possible thanks to a technique known as X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure, or XANES, spectroscopy, he said. “To do that you need a particle accelerator,” he said. “This is like an enormous, really expensive facility, which we’ve been very fortunate to have used to this study. But it’s not exactly the kind of experiment that you can do in the garage.” The study potentially upends our understanding of early Earth, but the discovery of hydrogen in the meteorite doesn’t mean that life would have necessarily evolved sooner, Barrett said. This is because the habitability of a planet may depend more on the way it evolves than the material it is formed from, he said. Hydrogen on early Earth A team of scientists at the French National Centre for Scientific Research had previously analyzed the meteorite, known as LAR 12252, which had been collected in Antarctica. The August 2020 study found that the space rock’s chondrules, or minuscule spherical objects, and organic material contained within it had traces of hydrogen. The research, however, only accounted for a portion of the hydrogen within the meteorite. The researchers behind the new study believed more hydrogen could be attached to sulphur within the meteorite. The team unexpectedly detected hydrogen sulphide within the fine matrix immediately surrounding the chondrules — “on average almost 10 times more” hydrogen sulphide than found in the spherical objects, according to the study. “We were incredibly excited when the analysis told us the sample contained hydrogen sulphide — just not where we expected!” Barrett said in a statement. “Because the likelihood of this hydrogen sulphide originating from terrestrial contamination is very low, this research provides vital evidence to support the theory that water on Earth is native — that it is a natural outcome of what our planet is made of.” The role of asteroid and comet impacts Next, Barrett plans to analyze more meteorites in an effort to ascertain exactly how much hydrogen would have been present on Earth, and how much may have been delivered from external sources. Working out how Earth came to look the way it does today is a fundamental question for planetary scientists, said study coauthor James Bryson, an associate professor in the department of Earth sciences at the University of Oxford. “We now think that the material that built our planet — which we can study using these rare meteorites — was far richer in hydrogen than we thought previously,” he said. “This finding supports the idea that the formation of water on Earth was a natural process, rather than a fluke of hydrated asteroids bombarding our planet after it formed.” Matt Genge, a planetary scientist at Imperial College London, who was not involved in the study, told CNN that while the study is an “interesting result,” the evidence is not sufficient to overturn the longstanding theory of the origins of water. The meteorite in question had been in Antarctica likely for hundreds of thousands of years, he said, and it is impossible to completely rule out the chance that the hydrogen may have formed during that time. “Just the fact that there is a possibility makes the argument less strong,” Genge said. Bryson acknowledged that the meteorite was indeed likely on Earth for many years before it was collected but stands by the study results. “We believe we have taken every effort we can in our analysis workflow to mitigate the impact of terrestrial water on our results, and we do think that some of the total amount of H (hydrogen) in the meteorite is due to Earth’s water (maybe about 15%),” Bryson said via email in response to Genge’s statement. “We also think that some H (hydrogen) was still delivered from asteroids and comets, however we now think this is a small proportion of the total H (hydrogen) found throughout our planet. So Matt’s assessment of this meteorite is justified, but we strived to minimise his concern.”
New evidence challenges theories on the origin of water on Earth, study suggests
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Study Reveals Early Earth May Have Contained More Hydrogen, Challenging Water Origin Theories"
CNN
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TruthLens AI Summary
Recent research conducted by scientists at the University of Oxford has revealed new evidence suggesting that early Earth contained more hydrogen than previously thought, challenging established theories about the origins of water on our planet. The study, published in the journal Icarus, involved an analysis of a rare enstatite chondrite meteorite that dates back approximately 4.6 billion years, a time period close to the formation of Earth. The researchers discovered that the majority of hydrogen present in the meteorite was intrinsic, indicating that early Earth might have had sufficient hydrogen to form water molecules. This contradicts the long-held belief that hydrogen on Earth primarily came from asteroids that impacted a dry, barren planet. Tom Barrett, the lead author of the study, emphasized that this finding suggests a more complex scenario where Earth could have had water from its initial formation rather than relying solely on external sources like asteroids for hydration.
The study's findings also raise questions regarding the habitability of early Earth. While the detection of hydrogen in the meteorite opens new avenues for understanding Earth's water origins, it does not necessarily imply that life could have evolved sooner. The researchers noted that the evolution of a planet might be influenced more by its developmental processes than by the materials from which it was formed. The team plans to further investigate other meteorites to quantify the amount of hydrogen potentially present on early Earth and the contributions from external sources. Although some experts, like planetary scientist Matt Genge, caution against overturning existing theories based solely on this study, the Oxford researchers are confident in their analysis, asserting that they have taken steps to minimize contamination from terrestrial sources. Their work suggests that the material forming Earth was richer in hydrogen than previously recognized, supporting the idea that the formation of water could be a natural outcome of Earth's composition rather than a mere result of random asteroid impacts.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights groundbreaking findings from researchers at the University of Oxford regarding the origins of water on Earth. Their study, published in the journal Icarus, suggests that early Earth may have had more hydrogen than previously recognized, potentially altering our understanding of how water formed on our planet.
Scientific Implications
The significance of the study lies in its challenge to established theories about the arrival of water on Earth. Traditionally, many scientists believed that water was delivered via asteroids that struck a dry, barren planet. The new evidence indicates that intrinsic hydrogen and oxygen were present in the materials that formed Earth, suggesting that the planet could have been hydrated from its formation. This finding opens new avenues for research in planetary science and the conditions necessary for life.
Public Perception
By presenting this new evidence, the article aims to reshape public understanding of Earth's history and evolution. It encourages readers to reconsider the narrative of Earth’s formation and the sources of its water, promoting a more nuanced view of planetary development. This could foster greater interest in scientific exploration and education.
Hidden Agendas?
While there doesn't appear to be overt manipulation within the reporting, one could speculate that the framing of these findings might subtly support funding for further research in planetary science. Emphasizing new discoveries can generate public interest and governmental or private funding for future studies.
Comparative Context
When placed alongside other recent scientific reports, this article contributes to a growing conversation about planetary formation and the origins of life. It aligns with a trend of challenging long-held scientific beliefs, which has been seen in various fields, from climate science to evolutionary biology.
Societal Impact
The implications of this research could extend beyond academia, potentially influencing educational curricula and public interest in space exploration. If the findings gain traction, they may encourage discussions about the importance of scientific inquiry and the nature of evidence-based knowledge.
Target Audience
This article is likely to resonate with audiences interested in science, particularly those who follow developments in Earth sciences and astronomy. It may attract support from environmentalists and educators who emphasize the importance of understanding Earth's history in the context of climate change and sustainability.
Market Influence
In terms of market impact, while the findings may not directly affect stock prices, they could influence sectors related to space exploration and scientific research funding. Companies involved in space technology or planetary exploration may see increased interest or investment based on the implications of this research.
Geopolitical Relevance
The findings may not have immediate geopolitical implications, but they contribute to the broader discourse on space exploration, a field that is increasingly relevant in international relations and competition for resources.
AI Involvement
There is no clear indication that AI was directly used in writing the article. However, the sophisticated analysis of meteorite samples may have involved AI-driven technologies in data processing. If AI had a role, it could have streamlined the detection of hydrogen, thus enhancing the study's credibility.
In conclusion, the article provides a significant contribution to our understanding of Earth's origins and challenges existing theories. While it is grounded in scientific research, the broader implications of its findings could influence public perception, funding for scientific inquiries, and educational approaches to Earth sciences.