Non-Meteoric Water Discovered by Scientists in Natural Spa Waters in Central Japan [Study]

Water is necessary for all living organisms on Earth, including animals and plants, to function, grow, and survive. The essence of this compound has been documented based on both prehistoric and historical evidence. Without water, Earth's living things, which underwent millions to billions of years of evolution, may not exist.

It has long been thought that the origin of water on Earth likely came from meteorites like asteroids in outer space, based on geochemical evidence in previous studies. This is within the context that our planet was once a molten, rocky wasteland when it formed 4.5 billion years ago.

However, a fresh study, reported earlier this week, reveals the discovery of a non-meteoric water or a long-trapped lithospheric water found in the natural spa waters in central Japan. The scientists involved in the research highlight the origin of water from tectonic plates and seafloor sediments.

Non-Meteoric Water Discovery

Earth transitioned from a molten to a habitable planet hundreds of million years ago. Since then, it has been filled with essential elements for life like oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen. In addition to water, which can now be seen in the form of oceans and other bodies of water.

In the case of most natural spa waters, their primary origin is from atmospheric precipitation, including rain and snow, called meteoric water, which is part of the global water cycle.

Spa water, or mineral spa, can be found in mineral springs that are formed based on their underground origin.

Now, a new study that will be published in the Journal of Hydrology in January 2024 shows the groundbreaking discovery about the origins of non-meteoric water after scientists explored the unique qualities of certain spa waters in central Japan.

Lithospheric Water

Researchers from the University of Tsukuba in Japan used numerical modeling to arrive at their conclusion, which shows that the non-meteoric water from the natural spa water has been trapped in the Earth's lithosphere for a period ranging between 1.5 million and 5 million years.

It is through this discovery that the research team identified the three primary sources of the ancient water as follows:

• Philippine Sea Plate
• Pacific Plate
• Ancient seafloor sediments

Furthermore, the Japan research team found that the long-trapped lithospheric water shares a common evolutionary trajectory with other various types of water, including those found in the seafloor, submarine mud volcanoes, volcanic stream plate subduction zones, and coastal oil field brines.

Where Did Water Originally Come From?

While the said study focuses on the origin of non-meteoric water, it has often been asked if where did water originally come from? After all, 71% of Earth is covered by water and even humans have a large portion of water in their bodies, according to The Planetary Society.

The evidence that water came from space was recently reinforced after NASA's OSIRIS-Rex spacecraft returned to Earth with samples of the asteroid Bennu in September 2023. Preliminary analysis of the samples shows the presence of water and organics.