Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2025
06:04
Simulation of the Planetary Interior Differentiation Processes in the Laboratory
Published on: November 15, 2013
11.5K
Primitive asteroids as a major source of terrestrial volatiles
Rayssa Martins1,2, Elin M Morton1, Sven Kuthning1
1Department of Earth Science & Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK.
Science Advances
|October 11, 2024
Summary
Earth
Area of Science:
- Planetary Science
- Geochemistry
- Isotope Cosmochemistry
Background:
- The origin of Earth's volatile elements, such as zinc (Zn), is a significant scientific debate.
- Previous studies on meteorite zinc isotope compositions suggested extraterrestrial origins but often excluded key planetary building blocks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mass-independent zinc isotope compositions of meteorites from differentiated planetesimals.
- To model the contribution of different meteorite types to Earth's zinc budget and isotopic signature.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of mass-independent zinc isotope compositions in meteorites from differentiated planetesimals.
- Development and application of mixing models to simulate Earth's volatile element accretion.
Main Results:
- Meteorites from differentiated planetesimals, despite forming ~70% of Earth's mass, contributed only ~10% of its zinc.
- Primitive, unmelted materials were the primary source of Earth's zinc and other volatile elements.
Conclusions:
- Differentiated planetesimals were not the main source of Earth's zinc.
- Accretion of unmelted, primitive materials is crucial for establishing the volatile element inventories of terrestrial planets.
Related Concept Videos
00:49Gravimetry: Inorganic And Organic Precipitating Agents
1.2K
In gravimetry, the precipitant is chosen carefully to obtain a pure solid that can be easily filtered. Common inorganic precipitants can be used to determine several cations and anions. In some cases, the formation of the same precipitate can be used to determine the cation and the anion. For example, the reaction of barium and chromate ions to give barium chromate is used to determine both barium and chromate. However, precipitates such as hydroxides, oxalates, and metal ammonium phosphates...
1.2K
01:22The Sulfur Cycle
43.8K
Sulfur, an important element in the chemical makeup of proteins, is recycled through the atmosphere and aquatic and terrestrial environments. Found in the atmosphere as sulfur dioxide (SO2), sulfur is released by decaying organisms, weathered rocks, geothermal vents, volcanos, and burning fossil fuels. It is deposited into the ecosystem, cycled through the biotic community, and either released back into the atmosphere as gas or deposited in marine sediment for long-term storage and eventual...
43.8K
01:30Diversity of Archaea I
2
Archaea, a domain of single-celled microorganisms, are classified into five major phyla based on genetic and biochemical characteristics: Euryarchaeota, Crenarchaeota, Thaumarchaeota, Korarchaeota, and Nanoarchaeota. Among these, the phylum Euryarchaeota is notable for its remarkable diversity in morphology, metabolism, and ecological adaptations.Morphological and Metabolic DiversityMembers of Euryarchaeota exhibit a variety of cellular shapes, including rods and cocci. Their metabolic pathways...
2
01:21Green Algae
Green algae, also referred to as chlorophytes, are different from red algae in having the chloroplasts containing chlorophylls a and b, which give them their distinct green hue. However, they lack phycobiliproteins, preventing them from developing the red or blue-green pigmentation seen in red algae. In terms of photosynthetic pigment composition, green algae closely resemble plants and share a close evolutionary relationship with them. Taxonomically Green algae belong to Phylum Chlorophyta in...
01:10Kepler's First Law of Planetary Motion
3.9K
In the early 17th century, German astronomer and mathematician Johannes Kepler postulated three laws for the motion of planets in the solar system. He formulated his first two laws based on the observations of his forebears, Nikolaus Copernicus and Tycho Brahe.
Polish astronomer Nikolaus Copernicus put forth a theory that stated a heliocentric model for the solar system. According to this heliocentric theory, all the planets, including Earth, orbit the Sun in circular orbits.
On the other hand,...
Polish astronomer Nikolaus Copernicus put forth a theory that stated a heliocentric model for the solar system. According to this heliocentric theory, all the planets, including Earth, orbit the Sun in circular orbits.
On the other hand,...
3.9K
01:10Volatilization
372
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...
372