Title: New Research Suggests Origin of Life on Earth May Have Been Here All Along
The origin of life on Earth has long been a mystery, with scientists speculating that the building blocks of life arrived on our planet from an asteroid, comet, or meteorite. However, new research published in Science Advances and The Conversation suggests that the origins of life on Earth may have been right here all along.
The study proposes that the elements necessary for life, known as volatiles, might have existed on Earth from the very beginning. These volatiles include elements such as carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, selenium, and tellurium, which evaporate more readily than other elements.
The prevailing late veneer theory suggests that volatile-rich bodies striking Earth’s surface introduced these elements, but the new research challenges this idea. It argues that these life-essential elements were present during Earth’s earliest formation, rather than arriving later from external sources.
The researchers point out that this new perspective aligns with a study tracing the origin of water on Earth, indicating that these volatiles may have been part of Earth’s formation from the start.
The findings could provide valuable insights into the origin of life on Earth, shedding light on a longstanding mystery. As scientists continue to study this theory, it may open up new avenues for understanding the origins of life on our planet.