Unknown

Dataset Information

0

Differentiating biotic from abiotic methane genesis in hydrothermally active planetary surfaces.


ABSTRACT: Molecular hydrogen (H(2)) is derived from the hydrothermal alteration of olivine-rich planetary crust. Abiotic and biotic processes consume H(2) to produce methane (CH(4)); however, the extent of either process is unknown. Here, we assess the temporal dependence and limit of abiotic CH(4) related to the presence and formation of mineral catalysts during olivine hydrolysis (i.e., serpentinization) at 200?°C and 0.03 gigapascal. Results indicate that the rate of CH(4) production increases to a maximum value related to magnetite catalyzation. By identifying the dynamics of CH(4) production, we kinetically model how the H(2) to CH(4) ratio may be used to assess the origin of CH(4) in deep subsurface serpentinization systems on Earth and Mars. Based on our model and available field data, low H(2)/CH(4) ratios (less than approximately 40) indicate that life is likely present and active.

SUBMITTER: Oze C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3382529 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

altmetric image

Publications

Differentiating biotic from abiotic methane genesis in hydrothermally active planetary surfaces.

Oze Christopher C   Jones L Camille LC   Goldsmith Jonas I JI   Rosenbauer Robert J RJ  

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 20120607 25


Molecular hydrogen (H(2)) is derived from the hydrothermal alteration of olivine-rich planetary crust. Abiotic and biotic processes consume H(2) to produce methane (CH(4)); however, the extent of either process is unknown. Here, we assess the temporal dependence and limit of abiotic CH(4) related to the presence and formation of mineral catalysts during olivine hydrolysis (i.e., serpentinization) at 200 °C and 0.03 gigapascal. Results indicate that the rate of CH(4) production increases to a max  ...[more]

Similar Datasets

| S-EPMC7300122 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC7695850 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC1392937 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC4551181 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC5992163 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC4178704 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC3689174 | biostudies-other
| S-EPMC7319328 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC8566188 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC1951843 | biostudies-other