Alaskan Meteorite Sparks New Debate on the Origins of Earth’s Water

Water is vital for all life on Earth, but its origins are still a mystery. While some scientists believed that asteroids delivered hydrogen, key to forming water, new findings suggest that Earth may have had enough hydrogen all along.

Researchers in the UK recently studied a unique type of meteorite called an enstatite chondrite, which closely resembles what Earth was like 4.55 billion years ago. They discovered significant amounts of hydrogen within it, indicating that early Earth may have produced its own water. James Bryson from the University of Oxford said, “Our planet-building material was richer in hydrogen than we previously thought.” This could mean that water formation was a natural process, rather than relying on collisions with asteroids.

The team focused on a meteorite known as LAR 12252, collected from Alaska. Previous studies hinted at hydrogen traces, but contamination from Earth was suspected. This new analysis, however, revealed hydrogen sulfide bonded to sulfur—suggesting that the hydrogen they found is likely intrinsic to the meteorite.

Tom Barrett, the study’s lead author, noted the excitement of discovering hydrogen sulfide in unexpected areas of the sample. Because contaminated parts of the meteorite showed little to no hydrogen, most of it is probably from the meteorite itself. This strengthens the idea that early Earth already had the hydrogen necessary for water long before asteroids began impacting it.

Understanding how Earth acquired its water isn’t just about geology. It also ties into the bigger question of how life started on our planet. Water is crucial for life as we know it, so knowing how it was formed can help unlock the secrets of our existence. This research adds a significant piece to the puzzle about our planet’s early history.

The implications are far-reaching. According to a global survey published in 2022 by the World Health Organization, 2 billion people still lack access to safe drinking water. By exploring how Earth obtained its water, scientists may find ways to ensure water availability for future generations. The mysteries of our planet and its resources continue to inspire scientists and thinkers worldwide.

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meteorites,origin of life,Water