The chemical habitability of Earth and rocky planets prescribed by core formation
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2026-12-05
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Abstract
A crucial factor governing the habitability of exoplanets is the availability of bioessential elements such as nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P), which foster prebiotic chemistry and sustain life after its emergence. However, concentrations of P and N in planetary mantles vary due to initial availability and oxidation conditions during planet formation, and thus their characterisation and availability in planetary environment is challenging. Here, we use a core formation model to show that oxygen fugacity during core formation is the key parameter to the availability of these two elements, with the existence of a narrow "chemical Goldilocks zone" that allows both P and N to be present with the right abundances in the mantle (around IW-1 to IW-3). Earth falls within this zone, whereas planets with more reducing/oxidising conditions will sequester P/N into the core, hindering their availability for life. Future observations refining estimates of the oxygen fugacity prevalent during exoplanet core formation will be crucial to properly evaluate exoplanetary habitability and correctly interpret possible biosignatures.
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ETH Zurich
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02330 - Dep. Erd- und Planetenwissenschaften / Dep. of Earth and Planetary Sciences