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Nickel isotopic evidence for late-stage accretion of Mercury-like differentiated planetary embryos

Author

Listed:
  • Shui-Jiong Wang

    (China University of Geosciences)

  • Wenzhong Wang

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    University College London
    CAS Center for Excellence in Comparative Planetology, USTC)

  • Jian-Ming Zhu

    (China University of Geosciences)

  • Zhongqing Wu

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    CAS Center for Excellence in Comparative Planetology, USTC)

  • Jingao Liu

    (China University of Geosciences)

  • Guilin Han

    (China University of Geosciences)

  • Fang-Zhen Teng

    (University of Washington)

  • Shichun Huang

    (University of Nevada)

  • Hongjie Wu

    (China University of Geosciences)

  • Yujian Wang

    (China University of Geosciences)

  • Guangliang Wu

    (China University of Geosciences)

  • Weihan Li

    (China University of Geosciences)

Abstract

Earth’s habitability is closely tied to its late-stage accretion, during which impactors delivered the majority of life-essential volatiles. However, the nature of these final building blocks remains poorly constrained. Nickel (Ni) can be a useful tracer in characterizing this accretion as most Ni in the bulk silicate Earth (BSE) comes from the late-stage impactors. Here, we apply Ni stable isotope analysis to a large number of meteorites and terrestrial rocks, and find that the BSE has a lighter Ni isotopic composition compared to chondrites. Using first-principles calculations based on density functional theory, we show that core-mantle differentiation cannot produce the observed light Ni isotopic composition of the BSE. Rather, the sub-chondritic Ni isotopic signature was established during Earth’s late-stage accretion, probably through the Moon-forming giant impact. We propose that a highly reduced sulfide-rich, Mercury-like body, whose mantle is characterized by light Ni isotopic composition, collided with and merged into the proto-Earth during the Moon-forming giant impact, producing the sub-chondritic Ni isotopic signature of the BSE, while delivering sulfur and probably other volatiles to the Earth.

Suggested Citation

  • Shui-Jiong Wang & Wenzhong Wang & Jian-Ming Zhu & Zhongqing Wu & Jingao Liu & Guilin Han & Fang-Zhen Teng & Shichun Huang & Hongjie Wu & Yujian Wang & Guangliang Wu & Weihan Li, 2021. "Nickel isotopic evidence for late-stage accretion of Mercury-like differentiated planetary embryos," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-7, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-20525-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20525-1
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    Cited by:

    1. Wenzhong Wang & Michael J. Walter & John P. Brodholt & Shichun Huang, 2024. "Early planetesimal differentiation and late accretion shaped Earth’s nitrogen budget," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.

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