Figure 2 (IMAGE) Okayama University Caption The effects of aqueous alteration on the organic and inorganic components within planetesimals. Water oxidises the metal to form metal oxides and sulfides and reacts with the olivine (Ol.) and pyroxene (Px.) composition silicate phases to yield the hydrous phyllosilicates, which dominate the matrix of highly aqueously altered samples, such as Ryugu. Meanwhile, water phases reactions affect the original organic matter, producing more complex products and increasing the diversity of organic compounds present. Credit Christian Potiszil, Okayama University Usage Restrictions Copyright restricted, requires attribution to creator License Original content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.