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Published on: November 10, 2023
Earth's composition was modified by collisional erosion
Paul Frossard1,2, Claudine Israel1, Audrey Bouvier3,4
1Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, IRD, OPGC, Laboratoire Magmas et Volcans, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.
The samarium-146 (Sm)–neodymium-142 (Nd) system reveals early planetary evolution. Correcting for nucleosynthetic anomalies shows Earth
Area of Science:
- Geochemistry
- Cosmochemistry
- Planetary Science
Background:
- The samarium-146 (Sm)–neodymium-142 (Nd) decay system is crucial for tracing early mantle-crust evolution.
- Observed 142Nd/144Nd excesses in Earth rocks may stem from nucleosynthetic anomalies, complicating differentiation history interpretations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify nucleosynthetic contributions to chondrite composition.
- To re-evaluate early Earth's differentiation history by correcting for these anomalies.
Main Methods:
- Stepwise dissolution of primitive chondrites to analyze isotopic composition.
- Correction for identified nucleosynthetic anomalies in isotopic data.
Main Results:
- Quantified nucleosynthetic contributions to chondrite composition.
- Resolved excesses of 142Nd in Earth and differentiated planetesimals after anomaly correction.
- Demonstrated that collisional erosion of primordial crusts explains these compositions.
Conclusions:
- Collisional erosion during planetary accretion significantly impacted early differentiation.
- This process led to substantial loss of incompatible elements, including heat-producing elements like uranium, thorium, and potassium.
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