The Chemistry of Life: Why Phosphorus and Nitrogen Rule the Stars

If a planet forms with too much oxygen, the chemical consequences are dire for potential life. In an over-oxidized environment, phosphorus can become chemically "locked" within the mantle, while nitrogen may be pushed entirely into the atmosphere, where it can eventually be stripped away into space. This creates a scenario where a planet might look perfect from a distance—boasting blue skies and deep blue seas—but lacks the accessible chemical "soil" necessary to plant the seeds of a biological ecosystem, making it a deceptive "water world."