A new research has found that fresh water appeared on Earth about four billion years ago, Phys.org reported.
Scientists, by studying ancient crystals, were able to timeline the “origins of the hydrological cycle, which is the continuous process through which water moves around Earth and is crucial for sustaining ecosystems and supporting life on our planet.”
As per lead author Dr Hamed Gamaleldien, by studying tiny crystals in the mineral zircon, they found light isotopic signs, dating back as far as four million years ago.
He said, “Such light oxygen isotopes are typically the result of hot, fresh water altering rocks several kilometres below Earth’s surface.”
These new findings have challenged the existing notion that Earth was completely covered by water billions of years ago.
Study co-author Dr Hugo Olierook, from Curtin University’s School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, said the discovery was crucial for understanding how Earth formed and how life emerged.
He said, “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.”
The study was published in the journal Nature Geoscience.
