Methane-derived hydrocarbons produced under upper-mantle conditions

Nature Geoscience 2, 566 - 570 (2009) ^ | 26 July 2009 | Anton Kolesnikov1,2, Vladimir G. Kutcherov2,3 & Alexander F. Goncharov1

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Letter abstract

There is widespread evidence that petroleum originates from biological processes^{1, 2, 3}. Whether hydrocarbons can also be produced from abiogenic precursor molecules under the high-pressure, high-temperature conditions characteristic of the upper mantle remains an open question. It has been proposed that hydrocarbons generated in the upper mantle could be transported through deep faults to shallower regions in the Earth's crust, and contribute to petroleum reserves^{4, 5}. Here we use in situ Raman spectroscopy in laser-heated diamond anvil cells to monitor the chemical reactivity of methane and ethane under upper-mantle conditions. We show that when methane is exposed to pressures higher than 2 GPa, and to temperatures in the range of 1,000–1,500 K, it partially reacts to form saturated hydrocarbons containing 2–4 carbons (ethane, propane and butane) and molecular hydrogen and graphite. Conversely, exposure of ethane to similar conditions results in the production of methane, suggesting that the synthesis of saturated hydrocarbons is reversible. Our results support the suggestion that hydrocarbons heavier than methane can be produced by abiogenic processes in the upper mantle.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Ernest_at_the_Beach.

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[Quix]

Seems to me there could be at least another explanation or two for the tiny fossils being in said oil.

Regardless, we have more than enough for 400+ years EVEN IF the globalists weren’t killing us off in droves and our needs were expanding somewhat geometrically.

[wendy1946]

The only problem is that there are tiny fossils in oil that shows that petroleum is biologically-based.

All that really shows is that tiny animals got into the oil...

[wendy1946]

I don’t really see this one as catastrophism. Petroleum and natural gas appear to be a normal part of the planet’s body chemistry. Even if Velikovsky was right about hydrocarbons raining on the planet on one or two occasions, the bulk of it appears to be home grown.

[SunkenCiv]

Still worth knowing about.