Cited by 590Methane Hydrates and Related PhenomenaHydrocarbon exploration and reservoir analysisGeochemistry and Elemental Analysis

Abiogenic Methane Formation and Isotopic Fractionation Under Hydrothermal Conditions

Horita, Juske, Berndt, Michael E.·1999·Science

Abstract

Recently, methane (CH 4 ) of possible abiogenic origin has been reported from many localities within Earth's crust. However, little is known about the mechanisms of abiogenic methane formation, or about isotopic fractionation during such processes. Here, a hydrothermally formed nickel-iron alloy was shown to catalyze the otherwise prohibitively slow formation of abiogenic CH 4 from dissolved bicarbonate (HCO 3 − ) under hydrothermal conditions. Isotopic fractionation by the catalyst resulted in δ 13 C values of the CH 4 formed that are as low as those typically observed for microbial methane, with similarly high CH 4 /(C 2 H 6 + C 3 H 8 ) ratios. These results, combined with the increasing recognition of nickel-iron alloy occurrence in oceanic crusts, suggest that abiogenic methane may be more widespread than previously thought.

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Crossref · 10.1126/science.285.5430.1055

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Authors
Horita, J., & Berndt, M. E.
Affiliations
  • Oak Ridge National Laboratory (US)
  • University of Minnesota (US)
Corresponding author
Horita, Juske
Venue
Science
Published
1999-08-13
Volume
285
Issue
5430
Pages
1055-1057
ISSN
  • 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
  • 1095-9203
OpenAlex
W1998919748
Cited by
590
References
42
Citations by year
2026: 19 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 24 · 2021: 24 · 2020: 25 · 2019: 29 · 2018: 38 · 2017: 21 · 2016: 23 · 2015: 30 · 2014: 23 · 2013: 34 · 2012: 21
FWCI
5.23
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Science (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Methane Hydrates and Related Phenomena
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Mechanics of Materials › Hydrocarbon exploration and reservoir analysis
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Geochemistry and Petrology › Geochemistry and Elemental Analysis
Keywords
hydrothermal conditions, bicarbonate, dissolved carbon, carbon-13, oceanic crust

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