The basic ingredients for life may have been present on Earth from the beginning

The most accepted hypothesis about the origin of the basic components of life, such as sulfur and nitrogen, is that they arrived here from asteroids that collided with Earth. However, a new study now shows that many of these elements were actually present from the beginning, while the planet was still forming.

The research was published in the journal Advancement of science It was conducted by planetary scientists who analyzed the presence of different isotopes of chalcogen elements during the formation of the Earth. The idea was to study Earth’s geological history to learn more about the habitability of rocky planets.

For those in a hurry:

• Until then it was thought that the basic ingredients for life came on asteroids after the formation of the Earth;
• However, analysis of the isotopic behavior of chalcogen elements revealed that they had existed before;
• The study could help researchers evaluate the habitability of exoplanets.

The basic elements of life are fickle

Many of the ingredients essential for the emergence of life here on Earth are volatile, meaning they evaporate faster than other elements. Among these elements are chalcogen compounds, which include oxygen, sulfur, selenium, and tellurium.

Until then, the planet was thought to be composed of less volatile materials, and the essential ingredients for life only arrived later through objects that collided with the planet. However, new research provides evidence that these elements have always been present on Earth.

To do this, the researchers used a computational technique called first-principles calculation, in which the behavior of chalcogen isotopes was analysed. This is because each isotope of an element behaved in different ways during Earth’s formation, leaving traceable fingerprints.

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These calculations made it possible to identify the signatures that can be seen in different chalcogenates based on the way the Earth was formed. The models were then compared to real isotope measurements, where it was realized that although many of the volatile elements had evaporated during Earth’s formation, many were still here, perhaps remnants of the early stages of formation.

Now, scientists intend to study other volatile elements that are essential components of life, such as nitrogen, and how these isotopes behave at each stage of the Earth’s formation. This approach could help assess the habitability of exoplanets.