Cited by 52Planetary Science and ExplorationMethane Hydrates and Related PhenomenaOrigins and Evolution of Life

Differentiating biotic from abiotic methane genesis in hydrothermally active planetary surfaces

Open access
Oze, Christopher, Jones, L. Camille, Goldsmith, Jonas I., Rosenbauer, Robert J.·2012·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

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.

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Crossref · 10.1073/pnas.1205223109

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  • High experimental methane production has been reported, but similar experiments with 13C-labeled carbon have shown that the methane produced is derived from background organic carbon contamination.

    “High experimental methane production has been reported (51, 52), but similar experiments with 13C-labeled carbon have shown that the methane produced is derived from background organic carbon contamination (53, 54).”

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. [15]Berndt ME, Allen DE, Seyfried WE. Reduction of CO2 during serpentinization of olivine at 300 °C and 500 bar. Geology. 1996;24:351–354. [Google Scholar]
  2. [22]Jones LC, Rosenbauer R, Goldsmith JI, Oze C. Carbonate control of H2 and CH4 production in serpentinization systems at elevated P-Ts. Geophys Res Lett. 2010;37:L14306. [Google Scholar]

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Authors
Oze, C., Jones, L. C., Goldsmith, J. I., & Rosenbauer, R. J.
Affiliations
  • University of Canterbury (NZ)
  • Stanford University (US)
  • Bryn Mawr College (US)
  • United States Geological Survey (US)
Venue
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Published
2012-06-07
Volume
109
Issue
25
Pages
9750-9754
ISSN
  • 0027-8424 (ISSN-L)
  • 1091-6490
OpenAlex
W2041729002
Cited by
52
References
35
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 4
FWCI
2.62
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Planetary Science and Exploration
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Methane Hydrates and Related Phenomena
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Origins and Evolution of Life
Keywords
serpentinization, molecular hydrogen, kinetic modeling, hydrothermal alteration, Mars, astrobiology, mineral catalysts

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