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A trace gas analysed in mineral spring water in Germany gives clues on the origins of the Earth

Researchers supported by the ERC have sampled magmatic gases derived from the Earth's mantle in the Eifel region in Germany. Their analysis of xenon, a rare and inert gas, sampled in bubbling mineral water could bring new insights into the origin of volatile elements, water and gases, that allowed life to develop on Earth.

Centre de Recherches Petrographiques et Geochimiques

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Environment & climate action Innovation Funding Researchers European Research Council France Environment

date:  11/05/2016

Project:  NOBLE GAS TRACING OF SOURCES AND SINKS O...

acronym:  NOGAT

See also:  CORDIS

How the Earth formed about 4.54 billion years ago remains quite enigmatic. Because of their multiple isotopes (or forms) of various origins, noble gases stored in the Earth's mantle are used by researchers to trace the physical processes that took place within the Earth's various layers at this time.

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