The origin of volatile elements in the Earth-Moon system
Lars E Borg1, Gregory A Brennecka1, Thomas S Kruijer1,2
1Nuclear and Chemical Science Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550; borg5@llnl.gov brennecka2@llnl.gov kruijer1@llnl.gov.
Summary
Volatile elements in the Earth-Moon system were depleted before the Moon-forming Giant Impact. This suggests that the proto-Earth and impactor Theia inherited their volatile depletions from their solar system origins.
Area of Science:
- Planetary Science
- Geochemistry
- Cosmochemistry
Background:
- The origin of volatile elements like water in the Earth-Moon system is debated.
- Volatile loss during the Giant Impact is a major uncertainty.
- Rubidium-Strontium (Rb-Sr) isotope system tracks volatile element evolution.
Purpose of the Study:
- Constrain the timing of volatile element depletion in the Earth-Moon system.
- Investigate the role of the Giant Impact versus precursor inheritance.
- Determine the formation location of Earth and Theia.
Main Methods:
- Analyzing lunar highland rocks for 87Sr ingrowth.
- Utilizing the 87Rb to 87Sr decay chronometer.
- Comparing isotopic compositions to primitive meteorites.
Main Results:
- Lunar rocks crystallized ~4.35 billion years ago show minimal 87Sr ingrowth.
- Theia and proto-Earth were already volatile-depleted before accretion.
- Volatile depletions were inherited from the precursors.
Conclusions:
- The Giant Impact did not cause the Moon's volatile depletion.
- Precursor volatile element distributions were inherited by Earth and the Moon.
- Theia and proto-Earth likely formed in the inner solar system.
- The Giant Impact occurred late in solar system history.
Related Concept Videos
01:10Volatilization
597
Volatilization gravimetry is an analytical technique that measures the mass lost due to the volatilization of the substance. This technique is used to estimate the amount of volatile material in a sample. To perform this method, heat a known amount of the sample to a high temperature in a crucible or other suitable vessel. The volatile substance in the sample evaporates, and the vapor is completely expelled from the crucible either by heating the sample or bubbling a stream of inert gas through...
597
01:16Gravitation
7.2K
In the years before Newton, a general belief prevailed that different laws governed objects in the sky than objects on Earth. When Kepler wrote down the three laws of planetary motion, explaining in detail the geometrical properties of the planetary orbits around the Sun, there was no immediate idea to discern their connection with more fundamental laws. It was Isaac Newton who, in 1665–66, figured out the connection between planetary motion, the motion of the moon around the Earth, and...
7.2K
02:31Elements: Chemical Symbols and Isotopes
116.7K
A chemical symbol is an abbreviation used to indicate an element or an atom of an element. For example, the symbol for mercury is Hg. The same symbol is used to indicate one atom of mercury (microscopic domain) or to label a container of many atoms of the element mercury (macroscopic domain).
Some symbols are derived from the common English name of the element; others are abbreviations of the name in another language — Latin, Greek or German. For example, the symbol for aluminum (common...
Some symbols are derived from the common English name of the element; others are abbreviations of the name in another language — Latin, Greek or German. For example, the symbol for aluminum (common...
116.7K
01:27Gravity between Spherical Bodies
8.7K
Newton's law of gravitation describes the gravitational force between any two point masses. However, for extended spherical objects like the Earth, the Moon, and other planets, the law holds with an assumption that masses of spherical objects are concentrated at their respective centers.
This assumption can be proved easily by showing that the expression for gravitational potential energy between a hollow sphere of mass (M) and a point mass (m) is the same as it would be for a pair of extended...
This assumption can be proved easily by showing that the expression for gravitational potential energy between a hollow sphere of mass (M) and a point mass (m) is the same as it would be for a pair of extended...
8.7K
01:27Elements and Compounds
100.9K
Pure substances consist of only one type of matter. A pure substance can be an element or a compound. An element consists of only one type of atom, while a compound consists of two or more types of atoms held together by a chemical bond.
Elements
Elements are classified as atomic or molecular based on the nature of their basic units. They are unique forms of matter with specific chemical and physical properties that cannot break down into smaller substances by ordinary chemical reactions. There...
Elements
Elements are classified as atomic or molecular based on the nature of their basic units. They are unique forms of matter with specific chemical and physical properties that cannot break down into smaller substances by ordinary chemical reactions. There...
100.9K
01:23States of Water
54.2K
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...
54.2K