New research has found evidence that fresh water on Earth, which is essential for life, appeared about four billion years ago -- five hundred million years earlier than previously thought.
New Curtin-led research has found evidence that fresh water on Earth, which is essential for life, appeared about four billion years ago -- five hundred million years earlier than previously thought.
"By examining the age and oxygen isotopes in tiny crystals of the mineral zircon, we found unusually light isotopic signatures as far back as four billion years ago. Such light oxygen isotopes are typically the result of hot, fresh water altering rocks several kilometres below Earth's surface. "This discovery not only sheds light on Earth's early history but also suggests landmasses and fresh water set the stage for life to flourish within a relatively short time frame -- less than 600 million years after the planet formed," Dr Olierook said.
Part of the research was done using the CAMECA 1300HR3 instrument in the John de Laeter Centre's Large Geometry Ion Microprobe facility, which was funded by AuScope , the Geological Survey of Western Australia and Curtin University.Hamed Gamaleldien, Li-Guang Wu, Hugo K. H. Olierook, Christopher L. Kirkland, Uwe Kirscher, Zheng-Xiang Li, Tim E. Johnson, Sean Makin, Qiu-Li Li, Qiang Jiang, Simon A. Wilde, Xian-Hua Li.
Geology Environmental Issues Near-Earth Object Impacts Origin Of Life Fossils Early Climate Anthropology
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Fresh findings: Earliest evidence of life-bringing freshwater on EarthNew Curtin-led research has found evidence that fresh water on Earth, which is essential for life, appeared about 4 billion years ago—5 hundred million years earlier than previously thought.
Read more »
Ancient crystals reveal the earliest evidence of fresh water, scientists sayChemical clues in zircon crystals suggest the rock in which they formed came into contact with fresh water 4 billion years ago, when Earth was thought to be covered in ocean.
Read more »
Study indicates Earth's earliest sea creatures drove evolution by stirring the waterA study involving the University of Cambridge has used virtual recreations of the earliest animal ecosystems, known as marine animal forests, to demonstrate the part they played in the evolution of our planet.
Read more »
A Mysterious Layer Deep Inside Earth Could Be Remnants From Its Earliest HistoryThe Best in Science News and Amazing Breakthroughs
Read more »
NZD/USD Price Analysis: Posts fresh 10-week high near 0.6160 on China’s fresh stimulusThe NZD/USD pair refreshes its 10-week high at 0.6165 in Tuesday’s European session.
Read more »
Researchers create new software for the new European-Japanese Earth observation satellite EarthCAREPreparations for the launch of the new Earth observation satellite EarthCARE (Earth Cloud Aerosol and Radiation Explorer) at the end of May are in full swing. The joint mission of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) will measure clouds, aerosol and radiation more accurately than ever before.
Read more »