Carbonaceous chondrites, primitive meteorites from the outer solar system, likely supplied carbon, water and other volatile ingredients needed for life on Earth, researchers said. [1]
The study says isotopic signatures of elements such as molybdenum and hydrogen in Earth's mantle resemble those in certain meteorites, pointing to a genetic link and a shared source. [1] Researchers said these materials preserve a record of the early solar system’s chemical evolution. [1]
The findings also support the view that Earth's building blocks came from both the inner and outer solar system during planetary accretion. [1] That mixing, the researchers said, helped shape the planet's volatile inventory. [1]
The research argues that carbonaceous material contributed significantly to Earth's water supply, challenging older ideas that comets were the main source of the planet's water. [1] Researchers said "the accretion of carbonaceous material contributed significantly to Earth’s volatile inventory, including water." [1]
The work points to meteorites as a major source of the raw ingredients that made early Earth habitable, rather than a late cometary delivery alone. [1]
