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Updated: Jan 23, 2026
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Laboratory-determined Phosphorus Flux from Lake Sediments as a Measure of Internal Phosphorus Loading
Published on: March 6, 2014
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Phosphorus Volatility in the Early Solar Nebula
1School of Geosciences University of South Florida 4202 E. Fowler Ave NES 204 Tampa FL USA 33620.
Icarus
|June 20, 2019
Summary
Phosphorus was not volatile in the early Solar System. Instead, it rapidly migrated inward, forming solid phosphides and phosphates, making it scarce as a volatile element elsewhere.
Area of Science:
- Planetary Science
- Astrochemistry
- Geochemistry
Background:
- Phosphorus is a minor but crucial element for planetary mineral formation and the origin of life.
- Traditionally, phosphorus was assumed to be volatile in the cold outer Solar System.
- This assumption is challenged by new models of phosphorus behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and model an alternative pathway for phosphorus's behavior in the early Solar System.
- To investigate the depletion of volatile phosphorus across the Solar System.
Main Methods:
- Utilized thermodynamic equilibrium models.
- Incorporated metal phosphidation kinetics.
- Employed a 1D gas diffusion model.
Main Results:
- Phosphorus rapidly migrated to the inner Solar System.
- Solid phosphides and phosphates formed, depleting volatile phosphorus.
- Volatile phosphorus was minimal even in the cold outer regions.
Conclusions:
- The common assumption of phosphorus as a volatile in the outer Solar System is likely incorrect.
- Phosphorus was primarily incorporated into solid phases early in Solar System formation.
- This process explains the observed scarcity of volatile phosphorus.
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