Where on Earth has our water come from?
Nora H de Leeuw1, C Richard A Catlow, Helen E King
1Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AJ, UK. n.h.deleeuw@ucl.ac.uk
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|October 23, 2010
Summary
Computer modeling suggests interplanetary dust particles could be the source of Earth's water. Water adsorbs onto their fractal surfaces in the planetary accretion disk, offering a viable origin for terrestrial water.
Area of Science:
- Planetary Science
- Astrobiology
- Geochemistry
Background:
- The origin of Earth's water remains a significant scientific question.
- Previous theories have proposed various sources, but none are universally accepted.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate a novel hypothesis for the origin of terrestrial water.
- To explore the role of interplanetary dust particles in water delivery to early Earth.
Main Methods:
- Utilized advanced computer modeling techniques.
- Simulated the adsorption of water molecules onto fractal surfaces.
- Analyzed conditions within the planetary accretion disk.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated strong adsorption of water onto the fractal surfaces of interplanetary dust particles.
- Indicated that this adsorption mechanism is sufficient to account for the presence of water on Earth.
- Identified interplanetary dust as a viable carrier of water in the early solar system.
Conclusions:
- Interplanetary dust particles, through water adsorption on their fractal surfaces, present a compelling and viable origin for Earth's water.
- This finding offers a new perspective on the early delivery of volatiles to terrestrial planets.
Related Concept Videos
01:00The Water Cycle
The Earth’s hydrosphere includes all of the areas where the storage and movement of water occurs. Since water is the basis of all living processes, the cycling of water is extremely important to ecosystem dynamics.
01:23States of Water
Water exists in any one of the three classical states: solid (ice), liquid (water), and gas (steam or water vapor). The state of water depends on i) the intermolecular forces that draw molecules together and ii) the kinetic energy that leads to movements that pull them apart.
Water freezes when the intermolecular forces are greater than the kinetic energy. Unlike most other substances, water is less dense in its solid state than in its liquid state. This is because each water molecule can form...
Water freezes when the intermolecular forces are greater than the kinetic energy. Unlike most other substances, water is less dense in its solid state than in its liquid state. This is because each water molecule can form...
02:34Water and Mineral Acquisition
Specialized tissues in plant roots have evolved to capture water, minerals, and some ions from the soil. Roots exhibit a variety of branching patterns that facilitate this process. The outermost root cells have specialized structures called root hairs that increase the root surface, thus increasing soil contact. Water can passively cross into roots, as the concentration of water in the soil is higher than that of the root tissue. Minerals, in contrast, are actively transported into root cells.
02:35What is Evolutionary History?
Scientists record evolutionary history by analyzing fossil, morphological, and genetic data. The fossil record documents the history of life on Earth and provides evidence for evolution. However, both fossil and living organisms offer evidence that outlines Earth’s evolutionary history.Phylogenetic trees illustrate the evolutionary relationships among these organisms. Scientists infer organisms’ common ancestry by evaluating shared morphological and genetic characteristics. Together, the fossil...
01:14The Carbon Cycle
Carbon is the basis of all organic matter on Earth, and is recycled through the ecosystem in two primary processes: one in which carbon is exchanged among living organisms, and one in which carbon is cycled over long periods of time through fossilized organic remains, weathering of rocks, and volcanic activity. Human activities, including increased agricultural practices and the burning of fossil fuels, has greatly affected the balance of the natural carbon cycle.
01:27Role of Water in Human Biology
Water is the one of the most significant components of the human body; it plays a crucial role in several physiological activities because of its unique physicochemical properties. Importantly, it helps to regulate body temperature and is the chief component of several body fluids.
Water's Solvent Properties
Since water is a polar molecule with slightly positive and slightly negative charges, ions and polar molecules can readily dissolve in it. Therefore, it is referred to as a solvent, a...
Water's Solvent Properties
Since water is a polar molecule with slightly positive and slightly negative charges, ions and polar molecules can readily dissolve in it. Therefore, it is referred to as a solvent, a...