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Earth's carbon deficit caused by early loss through irreversible sublimation
J Li1, E A Bergin2, G A Blake3
1Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. jackieli@umich.edu.
Science Advances
|April 3, 2021
Summary
Carbon acquisition by planets like Earth was governed by sublimation, not condensation. Early solar nebula conditions led to carbon loss in Earth
Area of Science:
- Planetary Science
- Astrochemistry
- Geochemistry
Background:
- Carbon's role in planetary formation is crucial but poorly understood.
- Meteoritic and cometary materials suggest sublimation, not condensation, dictates carbon acquisition.
- Earth exhibits a significant carbon deficit, challenging existing models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the behavior of carbon during Earth's accretion.
- To reconcile the presence of carbon-rich materials in the early solar nebula with Earth's carbon-poor composition.
Main Methods:
- Astronomical observations of the solar nebula.
- Computational modeling of carbon carrier sublimation.
- Analysis of geological constraints on Earth's carbon content.
Main Results:
- The sublimation front (soot line) of carbon carriers moved inward rapidly in the early solar nebula.
- Carbon-rich materials were available for accretion at 1 astronomical unit within the first million years.
- Geological evidence indicates significant carbon loss from Earth's building blocks.
Conclusions:
- Earth's carbon deficit resulted from sublimation-driven carbon loss in its precursor materials.
- Sublimation, rather than condensation, is the dominant process for carbon acquisition by terrestrial planets.
- Understanding early solar system chemistry is key to explaining planetary composition.
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