Laboratory Simulations of Abiotic Hydrocarbon Formation in Earth's Deep Subsurface
Abstract
Research Article| January 01, 2013 Laboratory Simulations of Abiotic Hydrocarbon Formation in Earth's Deep Subsurface Thomas M. McCollom Thomas M. McCollom Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder. Colorado 80309, U.S.A., mccollom@lasp.colorado.edu Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Thomas M. McCollom Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder. Colorado 80309, U.S.A., mccollom@lasp.colorado.edu Publisher: Mineralogical Society of America First Online: 09 Mar 2017 © 2013 Mineralogical Society of America Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry (2013) 75 (1): 467–494. https://doi.org/10.2138/rmg.2013.75.15 Article history First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Thomas M. McCollom; Laboratory Simulations of Abiotic Hydrocarbon Formation in Earth's Deep Subsurface. Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry 2013;; 75 (1): 467–494. doi: https://doi.org/10.2138/rmg.2013.75.15 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyReviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry Search Advanced Search In recent years, methane and other light hydrocarbons with an apparently abiotic origin have been identified in an increasing number of geologic fluids on Earth. These compounds have been found in a variety of geologic settings, including seafloor hydrothermal systems, fracture networks in crystalline rocks from continental and oceanic crust, volcanic gases, and gas seeps from serpentinized rocks (e.g., Abrajano et al. 1990; Kelley 1996; Sherwood Lollar 2002, 2008; Fiebig et al. 2007, 2009; Proskurowski et al. 2008; Taran et al. 2010b). Understanding the origin of these compounds has significant implications for... You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.
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Most of Earth's crust is not sufficiently reducing to have Fe-Ni catalysts.
“but most of Earth’s crust is not sufficiently reducing to have such catalysts (41).”
From Disequilibrium biosignatures over Earth history and implications for detecting exoplanet life (2018) · cites this paper as [41]
Any deep mantle CH4 would be converted to CO2 by rapid equilibration long before reaching the surface.
“Any deep mantle CH4 would be converted to CO2 by rapid equilibration long before reaching the surface (41).”
From Disequilibrium biosignatures over Earth history and implications for detecting exoplanet life (2018) · cites this paper as [41]
Pressure-temperature conditions in the Earth's shallow mantle (<~100 km) strongly favor CO2 over CH4.
“Pressure-temperature conditions in the Earth’s shallow mantle (<~100 km) strongly favor CO2 over CH4.”
From Disequilibrium biosignatures over Earth history and implications for detecting exoplanet life (2018) · cites this paper as [41]
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“…the CH4 production mechanism is, it took place in a temperature field which is much lower than that considered in traditional hydrothermal systems and laboratory experiments on abiotic gas synthesis [Berndt et al., 1996; Foustoukos and Seyfried, 2004; McCollom and Seewald, 2006; McCollom, 2013].”
BackgroundPotentially biogenic carbon preserved in a 4.1 billion-year-old zircon
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“Abiotic processes that could produce light δ 13 C during the Hadean include Fischer – Tropsch mechanisms (25) and carbon isotopic fractionation by diffusion (26), incorporation of meteoritic (ranging from + 68 ‰ to − 60 ‰ δ 13 C) materials, mid-ocean ridge basalt degassing (27), and…”
Origins of building blocks of life: A review
Kitadai, N., & Maruyama, S. (2018) · Geoscience Frontiers · doi:10.1016/j.gsf.2017.07.007 · Cited by 464 · see citing works
“Later on, however, these experiments were questioned on the basis that organic syntheses occurred not in solution, but either in the vapor headspace in fixed-volume reactors, or in the H2-rich vapor bubbles formed on the surfaces of solids in reactors (McCollom, 2013b,c).”
BackgroundMethodResultInfluentialSerpentinization, carbon, and deep life
Schrenk, M. O., Brazelton, W. J., & Lang, S. Q. (2013) · Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry · doi:10.2138/rmg.2013.75.18 · Cited by 470 · see citing works
“The combination of H 2 and CO 2 or CO under highly reducing conditions leads to formation of methane and other hydrocarbons through Fischer-Tropsch Type (FTT) synthesis (McCollom and Seewald 2001; Charlou et al. 2002; Proskurowski et al. 2008; McCollom 2013).”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialThe Origin of Life in Alkaline Hydrothermal Vents
Sojo, V., Herschy, B., Whicher, A., Camprubí, E., & Lane, N. (2016) · Astrobiology · doi:10.1089/ast.2015.1406 · Cited by 341 · see citing works
“…vents produce methane in millimolar amounts (Proskurowski et al. , 2006, 2008; Lang et al. , 2012), as well as formate and other partially reduced carbon moieties (Proskurowski et al. , 2008), apparently reducing CO 2 via geochemically produced H 2 (McCollom, 2013b; McDermott et al. , 2015).”
Glein, C. R., Baross, J. A., & Waite, J. H. (2015) · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta · doi:10.1016/j.gca.2015.04.017 · Cited by 276 · see citing works
“la (Prinn & Fegley, 1989) to Enceladus’ interior. The formation of H2 inside Enceladus would provide a favorable environment for abiotic synthesis of organic molecules (Shock & Canovas, 2010; McCollom, 2013) that may have led to an origin of life (Russell et al., 2010), or for H2-utilizing microorganisms (McKa…”
BackgroundInfluentialAbiotic methane formation during experimental serpentinization of olivine
McCollom, T. M. (2016) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.1611843113 · Cited by 241 · see citing works
Self-citationSerpentinites, Hydrogen, and Life
McCollom, T. M., & Seewald, J. S. (2013) · Elements · doi:10.2113/gselements.9.2.129 · Cited by 230 · see citing works
Self-citationThe Origin and Nature of Life on Earth: The Emergence of the Fourth Geosphere
Smith, E., & Morowitz, H. J. (2016) · doi:10.1017/cbo9781316348772 · Cited by 215 · see citing works
Brovarone, A. V., Martinez, I., Elmaleh, A., Compagnoni, R., Chaduteau, C., Ferraris, C., & Esteve, I. (2017) · Nature Communications · doi:10.1038/ncomms14134 · Cited by 184 · see citing works
“This process of protracted, episodic H2 infiltration and CH4 production by Reaction (2) may explain the presence of pseudosecondary CH4-H2 fluid inclusions developing from graphite-rich rims (Figs 6a,b and 8).”
Konn, C., Charlou, J. L., Holm, N. G., & Mousis, O. J. (2015) · Astrobiology · doi:10.1089/ast.2014.1198 · Cited by 172 · see citing works
“They are presented in detail in a review by McCollom (2013b).”
InfluentialDisequilibrium biosignatures over Earth history and implications for detecting exoplanet life
Krissansen-Totton, J., Olson, S., & Catling, D. C. (2018) · Science Advances · doi:10.1126/sciadv.aao5747 · Cited by 177 · see citing works
Carbonate abundances and isotopic compositions in chondrites
Alexander, C. M. O., Bowden, R., Fogel, M. L., & Howard, K. T. (2015) · Meteoritics and Planetary Science · doi:10.1111/maps.12410 · Cited by 162 · see citing works
“Synthesis of this type is seen in experiments, albeit at higher temperatures and pressures than usually invoked for aqueously altered chondrites (McCollom and Seewald 2007; Fu et al. 2008; McCollom 2013).”
BackgroundManning, C. E., Shock, E. L., & Sverjensky, D. A. (2013) · Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry · doi:10.2138/rmg.2013.75.5 · Cited by 159 · see citing works
“…also include CO 2 (Shock 1988, 1989, 1994; Helgeson et al. 1993), leading to the hypothesis that abiotic organic synthesis in hydrothermal systems proceeds from CO 2 to organic compounds (Shock 1990, 1992; Shock and Schulte 1998; McCollom and Seewald 2007; Shock and Canovas 2010; McCollom 2013).”
BackgroundGeological and geochemical controls on subsurface microbial life in the Samail ophiolite, Oman
Rempfert, K. R., Miller, H. M., Bompard, N., Nothaft, D., Matter, J. M., Kelemen, P., Fierer, N., & Templeton, A. S. (2017) · Frontiers in Microbiology · doi:10.3389/fmicb.2017.00056 · Cited by 157 · see citing works
“The hydrogen and reduced carbon compounds produced from these reactions can act as electron donors to power microbial ecosystems (Karl, 1995; Sleep et al., 2004; Proskurowski et al., 2008; Russell et al., 2010; Etiope et al., 2015; McCollom, 2013; Miller et al., 2016).”
Kaszuba, J., YARDLEY, B. W. D., & Andréani, M. (2013) · Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry · doi:10.2138/rmg.2013.77.5 · Cited by 156 · see citing works
“In CO2-poor experiments, a part of the CO2 is reduced to methane and possibly more complex carbon compounds (McCollom 2013).”
BackgroundAbiotic gas: atypical, but not rare
Etiope, G., & Schoell, M. (2014) · Elements · doi:10.2113/gselements.10.4.291 · Cited by 145 · see citing works
“Laboratory experiments over the last 30 years have demonstrated that abiotic methane can form via FTT reactions in conditions similar to those in the Earth’s crust (see review by McCollom 2013).”
BackgroundInfluentialMethane clumped isotopes: Progress and potential for a new isotopic tracer
Douglas, P., Stolper, D. A., Eiler, J. M., Sessions, A. L., Lawson, M. J., Shuai, Y., Bishop, A. N., Podlaha, O. G., Ferreira, A. A. C. M., Neto, E. V. S., et al. (2017) · Organic Geochemistry · doi:10.1016/j.orggeochem.2017.07.016 · Cited by 132 · see citing works
“…mechanisms for methane production in serpentinization zones are Sabatier or Fischer-Tropsch type reactions in which inorganic carbon (mainly CO2) combines with molecular hydrogen to formmethane (and larger hydrocarbons) and water (Emmanuel and Ague, 2007; McCollom, 2013; Etiope and Schoell, 2014).”
BackgroundSubduction hides high-pressure sources of energy that may feed the deep subsurface biosphere
Brovarone, A. V., Sverjensky, D. A., Piccoli, F., Ressico, F., Giovannelli, D., & Daniel, I. (2020) · Nature Communications · doi:10.1038/s41467-020-17342-x · Cited by 130 · see citing works
The provenance, formation, and implications of reduced carbon phases in Martian meteorites
Steele, A., Mccubbin, F. M., & Fries, M. D. (2016) · Meteoritics and Planetary Science · doi:10.1111/maps.12670 · Cited by 117 · see citing works
“…into the mineral serpentine based on the following reaction: 3MgFeSiO4 þ 3H2O $ Mg3Si2O5(OH)4 þ Fe3O4 þ SiO2 þH2 This chemical reaction in hydrothermal conditions results in a substantial consumption of water and leads to the production of H2 as modeled by Lyons et al. (2005) and McCollom (2013).”
BackgroundProton gradients at the origin of life
Lane, N. (2017) · BioEssays · doi:10.1002/bies.201600217 · Cited by 115 · see citing works
“If the membrane was not genetically specified, where might those lipids have come from? Possibilities discussed in previous papers include FischerTropsch synthesis, which forms longchain hydrocarbons and amphiphiles under mild hydrothermal conditions [67, 68].”
BackgroundSubduction zone forearc serpentinites as incubators for deep microbial life
Plümper, O., King, H. E., Geisler, T., Liu, Y., Pabst, S., Savov, I. P., Rost, D., & Zack, T. (2017) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.1612147114 · Cited by 111 · see citing works
“Abiotic routes have been demonstrated to produce hydrocarbons and amino acids under hydrothermal conditions akin to serpentinization (29), but it is unclear whether these processes can produce the organic complexity observed in the serpentinite clasts.”
Organic synthesis on Mars by electrochemical reduction of CO 2
Steele, A., Benning, L. G., Wirth, R., Siljeström, S. M., Fries, M. D., Hauri, E. H., Conrad, P. G., Rogers, K. L., Eigenbrode, J. L., Schreiber, A., et al. (2018) · Science Advances · doi:10.1126/sciadv.aat5118 · Cited by 114 · see citing works
Coenzymes and their role in the evolution of life
Kirschning, A. (2021) · Angewandte Chemie International Edition · doi:10.1002/anie.201914786 · Cited by 107 · see citing works
Native H 2 Exploration in the Western Pyrenean Foothills
Lefeuvre, N., Truche, L., Donzé, F., Ducoux, M., Barré, G., Fakoury, R., Calassou, S., & Gaucher, É. C. (2021) · Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems · doi:10.1029/2021gc009917 · Cited by 106 · see citing works
“, 2018) have drawn most of the scientific attention so far because they may fuel deep microbial subsurface ecosystems and trigger the abiotic synthesis of organic molecules (Etiope et al., 2015; Fiebig et al., 2007; Johnson et al., 2015; Lin, Hall, et al., 2005; McCollom, 2013; Sauvage et al., 2021; Schrenk et al., 20…”
BackgroundGaboury, D. (2013) · Geology · doi:10.1130/g34788.1 · Cited by 106 · see citing works
Milesi, V., Guyot, F., Brunet, F., Richard, L., Recham, N., Benedetti, M. F., Dairou, J., & Prinzhofer, A. (2015) · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta · doi:10.1016/j.gca.2015.01.015 · Cited by 103 · see citing works
Serpentinization: connecting geochemistry, ancient metabolism and industrial hydrogenation
Preiner, M., Xavier, J. C., Sousa, F. L., Zimorski, V., Neubeck, A., Lang, S. Q., Greenwell, H. C., Kleinermanns, K., Tüysüz, H., McCollom, T. M., et al. (2018) · Life · doi:10.3390/life8040041 · Cited by 97 · see citing works
“That magnetite itself is not an effective catalyst, as experimental studies reveal [68,103], is not the main point here.”
BackgroundSelf-citationSousa, F. L., & Martin, W. F. (2014) · Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Bioenergetics · doi:10.1016/j.bbabio.2014.02.001 · Cited by 100 · see citing works
“Over periods of hours to days, several percent of the carbon is reduced to Fischer– Tropsch type reaction products [122].”
BackgroundLefeuvre, N., Truche, L., Donzé, F., Gal, F., Trémosa, J., Fakoury, R., Calassou, S., & Gaucher, É. C. (2022) · Applied Geochemistry · doi:10.1016/j.apgeochem.2022.105396 · Cited by 99 · see citing works
On the Origins of Deep Hydrocarbons
Sephton, M. A., & Hazen, R. M. (2013) · Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry · doi:10.2138/rmg.2013.75.14 · Cited by 101 · see citing works
“While compelling evidence for the abiotic synthesis of petroleum is lacking, there is unambiguous experimental, theoretical, and field evidence for deep abiotic origins of some hydrocarbons (McCollom 2013).”
BackgroundCarbon Mineralogy and Crystal Chemistry
Hazen, R. M., Downs, R. T., Jones, A. P., & Kah, L. (2013) · Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry · doi:10.2138/rmg.2013.75.2 · Cited by 114 · see citing works
“Characterization of such phases may prove especially important in resolving debates regarding abiotic versus biotic origins of some deep organic molecules (Sephton and Hazen 2013; McCollom 2013).”
BackgroundLiu, Q., Zhu, D., Jin, Z., Liu, C., Zhang, D., & He, Z. (2016) · Precambrian Research · doi:10.1016/j.precamres.2016.09.006 · Cited by 97 · see citing works
Hydrogen and Abiotic Hydrocarbons: Molecules that Change the World
Truche, L., McCollom, T. M., & Martinez, I. (2020) · Elements · doi:10.2138/gselements.16.1.13 · Cited by 97 · see citing works
Self-citationThe case and context for atmospheric methane as an exoplanet biosignature
Thompson, M., Krissansen‐Totton, J., Wogan, N. F., Telus, M., & Fortney, J. J. (2022) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.2117933119 · Cited by 98 · see citing works
“Experiments: • McCollom 2013: The hydrocarbon formation experiments discussed in McCollom 2013 measure the amount of dissolved CH4 gas in serpentinized olivine at 300 oC as a function of time (see their Figure 7).”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialThe origin, source, and cycling of methane in deep crystalline rock biosphere
Kietäväinen, R. (2015) · Frontiers in Microbiology · doi:10.3389/fmicb.2015.00725 · Cited by 93 · see citing works
“These reactions are most likely catalyzed by metals, such as Fe and Ni or certain mineral phases, such as clay minerals (Jacquemin et al., 2010; McCollom et al., 2010; McCollom, 2013; Etiope and Ionescu, 2014).”
BackgroundInfluentialEtiope, G., & Ionescu, A. (2014) · Geofluids · doi:10.1111/gfl.12106 · Cited by 91 · see citing works
Hazen, R. M., & Schiffries, C. M. (2013) · Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry · doi:10.2138/rmg.2013.75.1 · Cited by 92 · see citing works
Abiotic Synthesis of Methane and Organic Compounds in Earth’s Lithosphere
Reeves, E. P., & Fiebig, J. (2020) · Elements · doi:10.2138/gselements.16.1.25 · Cited by 89 · see citing works
Abiotic methane in continental ultramafic rock systems: Towards a genetic model
Etiope, G., & Whiticar, M. J. (2019) · Applied Geochemistry · doi:10.1016/j.apgeochem.2019.01.012 · Cited by 87 · see citing works
Microbial co-occurrence patterns in deep Precambrian bedrock fracture fluids
Purkamo, L., Bomberg, M., Kietäväinen, R., Salavirta, H., Nyyssönen, M., Nuppunen-Puputti, M., Ahonen, L., Kukkonen, I., & Itävaara, M. (2016) · Biogeosciences · doi:10.5194/bg-13-3091-2016 · Cited by 85 · see citing works
“It is produced in abiotic reactions such as through radiolysis of H2O and in water–rock interactions such as serpentinization, but also by microbial activity (Pedersen, 2000; Lin et al., 2005; McCollom, 2013; Szponar et al., 2013).”
BackgroundMeasurement of position-specific 13C isotopic composition of propane at the nanomole level
Gilbert, A. R., Yamada, K., Suda, K., Ueno, Y., & Yoshida, N. (2016) · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta · doi:10.1016/j.gca.2016.01.017 · Cited by 84 · see citing works
McCollom, T. M., & Donaldson, C. T. (2016) · Astrobiology · doi:10.1089/ast.2015.1382 · Cited by 82 · see citing works
“…to * 550nmol (g minerals) - 1 day - 1 in continuously stirred reac-tionswithsomewhatsmallergrainsize(100 l m)at200 (cid:2) C,while Klein and McCollom (2013) observed production at rate of 113nmol (g minerals) - 1 day - 1 at 300 (cid:2) C in a gold-TiO 2 reaction cell with olivine with the…”
Self-citationA Review of the Geochemistry and Microbiology of Marine Shallow-Water Hydrothermal Vents
Price, R. E., & Giovannelli, D. (2017) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-409548-9.09523-3 · Cited by 81 · see citing works
Menduni, G., Zifarelli, A., Sampaolo, A., Patimisco, P., Giglio, M., Amoroso, N., Wu, H., Dong, L., Bellotti, R., & Spagnolo, V. (2022) · Photoacoustics · doi:10.1016/j.pacs.2022.100349 · Cited by 79 · see citing works
“These gaseous emissions are primarily formed by methane (C1 > 70%), and can also include ethane (C2), propane (C3), butane (C4) and pentane (C5), which are the results of microbial or thermal conversion of organic matter [5,6].”
BackgroundFoustoukos, D. I., Bizimis, M., Frisby, C., & Shirey, S. B. (2014) · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta · doi:10.1016/j.gca.2014.11.025 · Cited by 76 · see citing works
Ward, L. M., & Shih, P. M. (2019) · Free Radical Biology and Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2019.01.049 · Cited by 74 · see citing works
Immiscible hydrocarbon fluids in the deep carbon cycle
Huang, F., Daniel, I., Cardon, H., Montagnac, G., & Sverjensky, D. A. (2017) · Nature Communications · doi:10.1038/ncomms15798 · Cited by 71 · see citing works
“The total number of moles of C in the system was calculated through equation (5) based on the known concentration in the initial aqueous solution and the volume of the cell:”
Okumura, T., Kawagucci, S., Saito, Y., Matsui, Y., Takai, K., & Imachi, H. (2016) · Progress in Earth and Planetary Science · doi:10.1186/s40645-016-0088-3 · Cited by 69 · see citing works
“…samples have been investigated in terms of global warming (e.g., Patra et al. 2011), limits of the deep biosphere (e.g., Inagaki et al. 2015), exploration and development of energy resources (e.g., Kvenvolden 1988), and prebiotic chemical evolution on the early Earth (e.g., McCollom 2013).”
BackgroundCavalier‐Smith, T., & Chao, E. E. Y. (2020) · PROTOPLASMA · doi:10.1007/s00709-019-01442-7 · Cited by 68 · see citing works
“…eubacteria could produce similar 13C-depletion in several different ecological scenarios involving two-step fractionation (Strauss et al. 1992) and that inorganic means of fractionation also exist (McCollom 2013, 2016), it is incorrect to cite these data as ‘evidence’ for archaean archaebacteria.”
BackgroundSchwander, L., Brabender, M., Mrnjavac, N., Wimmer, J. L. E., Preiner, M., & Martin, W. F. (2023) · Frontiers in Microbiology · doi:10.3389/fmicb.2023.1257597 · Cited by 65 · see citing works
“…and Russell, 2007) and fosters ideas for laboratory experiments that simulate the reducing and catalyst rich conditions of hydrothermal vents (McCollom, 2013; McCollom and Seewald, 2013; 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1257597 Frontiers in Microbiology 03 frontiersin.org Schrenk et al., 2013; Möller et…”
BackgroundInfluentialThe Abiotic Chemistry of Thiolated Acetate Derivatives and the Origin of Life
Chandru, K., Gilbert, A. R., Butch, C. J., Aono, M., & Cleaves, H. J. (2016) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/srep29883 · Cited by 66 · see citing works
Barbier, S., Huang, F., Andréani, M., Tao, R., Hao, J., Eleish, A. M., Prabhu, A., Minhas, O., Fontaine, K. S., Fox, P., et al. (2020) · Frontiers in Earth Science · doi:10.3389/feart.2020.00209 · Cited by 69 · see citing works
“…et al., 2006; Fu et al., 2007, 2008; Seyfried et al., 2007; Ji et al., 2008; Dufaud et al., 2009; Jones et al., 2010; McCollom et al., 2010, 2016; Marcaillou et al., 2011; Lafay et al., 2012; Lazar et al., 2012; Klein and McCollom, 2013; Klein et al., 2015; McCollom, 2016; Grozeva et al., 2017).”
BackgroundInfluentialShibuya, T., Russell, M. J., & Takai, K. (2015) · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta · doi:10.1016/j.gca.2015.11.021 · Cited by 64 · see citing works
False biosignatures on Mars: anticipating ambiguity
McMahon, S., & Cosmidis, J. (2021) · Journal of the Geological Society · doi:10.1144/jgs2021-050 · Cited by 66 · see citing works
“…(e.g. Fischer–Tropsch type synthesis, organosulfur pathways and electrochemical pathways), hightemperature carbonate decomposition or (mineral-catalysed) photochemical carbon fixation and cycling (e.g. McCollom 2013; Milesi et al. 2015; Dalai et al. 2016; Steele et al. 2018; Franz et al. 2020).”
BackgroundGeomicrobiology and Metagenomics of Terrestrial Deep Subsurface Microbiomes
Itävaara, M., Salavirta, H., Marjamaa, K., & Ruskeeniemi, T. (2016) · Advances in applied microbiology · doi:10.1016/bs.aambs.2015.12.001 · Cited by 60 · see citing works
He, D., Wang, X., Yang, Y., He, R., Zhong, H., Wang, Y., Han, B., & Jin, F. (2021) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.2115059118 · Cited by 60 · see citing works
“Entry pH Carbon source Concentration (M) Temperature (°C) Pressure (MPa) Natural alkaline hydrothermal environment (1-7) 9~11 HCO3 0.”
Abiotic methane seepage in the Ronda peridotite massif, southern Spain
Etiope, G., Vadillo, I., Whiticar, M. J., Marques, J. M., Carreira, P. M., Tiago, I., Benavente, J., Jiménez, P., & Urresti-Estala, B. (2015) · Applied Geochemistry · doi:10.1016/j.apgeochem.2015.12.001 · Cited by 63 · see citing works
Boreham, C. J., Sohn, J. H., Cox, N. J., Williams, J., Hong, Z., & Kendrick, M. A. (2021) · Chemical Geology · doi:10.1016/j.chemgeo.2021.120098 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
Methane: Fuel or Exhaust at the Emergence of Life?
Russell, M. J., & Nitschke, W. (2017) · Astrobiology · doi:10.1089/ast.2016.1599 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
“All these studies force a reassessment of what might have been the very first steps to life (Watanabe et al., 1983; Pineau and Mathez, 1990; Proskurowski et al., 2008; McCollom, 2013; Lollar et al., 2014; Suda et al., 2014).”
BackgroundLiu, C., McGovern, G. P., Liu, P., Zhao, H., & Horita, J. (2018) · Chemical Geology · doi:10.1016/j.chemgeo.2018.05.011 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
Morag, N., Williford, K. H., Kitajima, K., Philippot, P., Kranendonk, M. J. V., Lepot, K., Thomazo, C., & Valley, J. W. (2016) · Precambrian Research · doi:10.1016/j.precamres.2016.01.014 · Cited by 56 · see citing works
Warr, O., Young, E., Giunta, T., Kohl, I., Ash, J., & Lollar, B. S. (2020) · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta · doi:10.1016/j.gca.2020.12.002 · Cited by 49 · see citing works
“The overall goal of this paper is to evaluate the role of recent progress on clumped methane isotopologues in this difficult challenge of defining biogenicity and abiogenicity, whether than is being done on Earth, or to investigate other planets and moons such as Mars, Enceladus or Titan. Previous work by Young et al.…”
BackgroundInfluentialLabidi, J., Young, E., Giunta, T., Kohl, I. E., Seewald, J. S., Tang, H., Lilley, M. D., & Früh‐Green, G. L. (2020) · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta · doi:10.1016/j.gca.2020.08.013 · Cited by 55 · see citing works
“1), which may allow for the abiotic reduction of CO and/or CO2 to methane (Berndt et al., 1996; Horita and Berndt, 1999; Jones et al., 2010; McCollom, 2013, 2016; McCollom et al., 2010; McCollom and Seewald, 2001; Neubeck et al., 2011; Okland et al., 2014; Oze et al., 2012; Seewald et al., 2006).”
BackgroundRadon and carbon gas anomalies along the Watukosek Fault System and Lusi mud eruption, Indonesia
Sciarra, A., Mazzini, A., Inguaggiato, S., Vita, F., Lupi, M., & Hadi, S. (2017) · Marine and Petroleum Geology · doi:10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2017.09.031 · Cited by 54 · see citing works
Timing and origin of natural gas accumulation in the Siljan impact structure, Sweden
Drake, H., Roberts, N. M. W., Heim, C., Whitehouse, M. J., Siljeström, S. M., Kooijman, E., Broman, C., Ivarsson, M., & Åström, M. (2019) · Nature Communications · doi:10.1038/s41467-019-12728-y · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Morrison, S. M., Buongiorno, J., Downs, R. T., Eleish, A. M., Fox, P., Giovannelli, D., Golden, J. J., Hummer, D. R., Hystad, G., Kellogg, L. H., et al. (2020) · Frontiers in Earth Science · doi:10.3389/feart.2020.00208 · Cited by 51 · see citing works
“Organic molecules can be created by abiotic processes (Glasby, 2006; Fu et al., 2007; Kolesnikov et al., 2009; McCollom, 2013; Sephton and Hazen, 2013; Huang et al., 2017).”
Tassi, F., Venturi, S., Cabassi, J., Capecchiacci, F., Nisi, B., & Vaselli, O. (2015) · Applied Geochemistry · doi:10.1016/j.apgeochem.2015.02.005 · Cited by 51 · see citing works
Okumura, T., Ohara, Y., Stern, R. J., Yamanaka, T., Onishi, Y., Watanabe, H., Chen, C., Bloomer, S. H., Pujana, I., Sakai, S., et al. (2016) · Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems · doi:10.1002/2016gc006449 · Cited by 49 · see citing works
“…2009], while CH4 is subsequently produced by both microbial function (methanogenesis) and inorganic processes known as Fischer-Tropsch type reactions [e.g., McCollom and Seewald, 2001; Charlou et al., 2002; Kelley et al., 2005; Proskurowski et al., 2008; Bradley and Summons, 2010; McCollom, 2013].”
BackgroundSobolev, N. V., Logvinova, A. M., Томиленко, А. А., Wirth, R., Бульбак, Т. А., Luk'yanova, L. I., Fedorova, E. N., Reutsky, V. N., & Yefimova, E. S. (2019) · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta · doi:10.1016/j.gca.2019.08.028 · Cited by 50 · see citing works
Nan, J., King, H. E., Delen, G., Meirer, F., Weckhuysen, B. M., Guo, Z., Peng, X., & Plümper, O. (2020) · Geology · doi:10.1130/g48153.1 · Cited by 49 · see citing works
“A potential missing link between the abiotic synthesis in natural subsurface systems and the inconsistent observations of Fe-oxide, particularly magnetite, catalysis in experiments (McCollom, 2013) could be the physical effects associated with the ubiquitous presence of nanoporosity.”
BackgroundInfluentialHazen, R. M., Downs, R. T., Kah, L. C., & Sverjensky, D. A. (2013) · Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry · doi:10.2138/rmg.2013.75.4 · Cited by 50 · see citing works
Shuai, Y., Etiope, G., Zhang, S., Douglas, P., Huang, L., & Eiler, J. M. (2017) · Earth and Planetary Science Letters · doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2017.10.057 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Assessing the diversity of lipids formed via Fischer-Tropsch-type reactions
Mißbach, H., Schmidt, B. C., Duda, J., Lünsdorf, N. K., Goetz, W., & Thiel, V. (2018) · Organic Geochemistry · doi:10.1016/j.orggeochem.2018.02.012 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
Kietäväinen, R., Ahonen, L., Niinikoski, P., Nykänen, H., & Kukkonen, I. (2016) · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta · doi:10.1016/j.gca.2016.12.020 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
“For example, hydrocarbons produced by clay catalysed reactions 672 differ from those of FTT synthesis, as they contain more aromatic compounds, instead of the 673 dominance of linear alkanes typical for FTT, while the organosulphur pathway lacks alkane and alkene 674 products (McCollom, 2013).”
BackgroundCharacteristics of organic matter on Ceres from VIR/Dawn high spatial resolution spectra
Sanctis, M. C. D., Vinogradoff, V., Raponi, A., Ammannito, E., Ciarniello, M., Carrozzo, F. G., Angelis, S. D., Raymond, C. A., & Russell, C. T. (2018) · Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society · doi:10.1093/mnras/sty2772 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Pulsated Global Hydrogen and Methane Flux at Mid‐Ocean Ridges Driven by Pangea Breakup
Merdith, A., del Real, P. G., Daniel, I., Andréani, M., Wright, N. M., & Coltice, N. (2020) · Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems · doi:10.1029/2019gc008869 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
“Proposed sources include Fischer‐Tropsch‐type or Sabatier reactions (see review by McCollom, 2013) or degassing of deep fluid inclusions (e.g. Grozeva et al., 2020; Klein et al., 2019; McDermott et al., 2015; Wang et al., 2018).”
BackgroundFour billion years of microbial terpenome evolution
Hoshino, Y., & Villanueva, L. (2023) · FEMS Microbiology Reviews · doi:10.1093/femsre/fuad008 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Grosch, E. G., & Hazen, R. M. (2015) · Astrobiology · doi:10.1089/ast.2015.1302 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
“It is likely that CO 2 , CO, and form-aldehyde that formed under hydrothermal conditions would have been available as building blocks for larger organic compounds ( e.g. , Cody et al. , 2000, 2004; McCollom, 2013; Shrenk et al. , 2013).”
The rocky road to organics needs drying
Andréani, M., Montagnac, G., Fellah, C., Hao, J., Vandier, F., Daniel, I., Pisapia, C., Galipaud, J., Lilley, M. D., Früh‐Green, G. L., et al. (2023) · Nature Communications · doi:10.1038/s41467-023-36038-6 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Milesi, V., Prinzhofer, A., Guyot, F., Benedetti, M. F., & Rodrigues, R. (2015) · Marine and Petroleum Geology · doi:10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2015.12.022 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
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“Conditions in fluids in many serpentinizing systems are amenable to the abiotic reduction of inorganic carbon to simple organic compounds through Fisher-Tropsch type reactions [McCollom, 2013].”
BackgroundOrigin of methane and light hydrocarbons in natural fluid emissions: A key study from Greece
Daskalopoulou, K., Calabrese, S., Grassa, F., Kyriakopoulos, K., Parello, F., Tassi, F., & D’Alessandro, W. (2018) · Chemical Geology · doi:10.1016/j.chemgeo.2018.01.027 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
Dodd, M. S., Papineau, D., She, Z., Manikyamba, C., Wan, Y., OʼNeil, J., Karhu, J. A., Rizo, H., & Pirajno, F. (2019) · Earth and Planetary Science Letters · doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2019.01.054 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Hydrocarbon Behavior at Nanoscale Interfaces
Cole, D. R., Ok, S., Striolo, A., & Phan, A. (2013) · Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry · doi:10.2138/rmg.2013.75.16 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
“…some crystalline rock-dominated Precambrian shield environments have challenged the view that organic rich sediments provide the only significant source of crustal hydrocarbons (Potter and Konnerup-Madsen 2003; Sleep et al. 2004; Sherwood Lollar et al. 2006; McCollom 2013; Sephton and Hazen 2013).”
BackgroundDeamination reaction mechanisms of protonated amines under hydrothermal conditions
Robinson, K. J., Gould, I. R., Fecteau, K. M., Hartnett, H. E., Williams, L. B., & Shock, E. L. (2018) · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta · doi:10.1016/j.gca.2018.09.020 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
The Paleomineralogy of the Hadean Eon Revisited
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“The most widely invoked pathway for the abiogenic formation of methane and other hydrocarbons in geologic environments is the Fischer–Tropsch-type (FTT) synthesis (Salvi and Williams-Jones, 1997; McCollom, 2013 for a review; McCollom and Seewald, 2001).”
BackgroundFluid Geochemistry of High-Temperature Hydrothermal Fields in the Okinawa Trough
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Thermodynamic constraints on the formation of condensed carbon from serpentinization fluids
Milesi, V., McCollom, T. M., & Guyot, F. (2016) · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta · doi:10.1016/j.gca.2016.06.006 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Self-citationThe composition and structure of Ceres' interior
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Deep alteration between Hellas and Isidis Basins
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“This later requirement is puzzling because methane generation, whether thermogenic, microbial or abiotic, is always considered to be controlled by kinetic effects rather than by thermodynamic equilibrium (e.g. Berner and Faber, 1996; McCollom, 2013).”
BackgroundOrigin of salt giants in abyssal serpentinite systems
Scribano, V., Carbone, S., Manuella, F. C., Hovland, M. T., Rueslåtten, H., & Johnsen, H. K. (2017) · International Journal of Earth Sciences · doi:10.1007/s00531-017-1448-y · Cited by 36 · see citing works
“2009; McCollom 2013; Etiope et al.”
Serpentinization, abiogenic organic compounds, and deep life
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“The hydrogen released from this process may react with CO2 or CO in highly reduction condition to form methane and other hydrocarbons through FischerTropsch Type (FTT) synthesis (Proskurowski et al., 2008; McCollom et al., 2001, 2009, 2010; McCollom, 2013; Charlou et al., 2002).”
BackgroundChemistry of Hydrocarbons Under Extreme Thermobaric Conditions
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An Alternative Approach for Assessing Biogenicity
Rouillard, J., van Zuilen, M. A., Pisapia, C., & Garcı́a-Ruiz, J. M. (2020) · Astrobiology · doi:10.1089/ast.2020.2282 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
“Organic matter itself is not a good biosignature either, since it may be synthesized abiotically in many different environments (Chyba and Sagan, 1992; Lollar et al., 2002; Garcı́a-Ruiz et al., 2003; Wolf and Toon, 2010; McCollom, 2013; Milesi et al., 2015; Ménez et al., 2018).”
BackgroundZhang, L., Wang, Q., Ding, X., & Li, W.-C. (2020) · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta · doi:10.1016/j.gca.2020.12.016 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
- Authors
- McCollom, T. M.
- Affiliations
- University of Colorado Boulder (US)
- Corresponding author
- McCollom, T. M.
- ORCID
- McCollom, T. M.
- Venue
- Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry
- Publisher
- Mineralogical Society of America
- Published
- 2013-01-01
- Volume
- 75
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 467-494
- ISSN
- 1529-6466 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2116419174
- Cited by
- 285
- References
- 99
- Citations by year
- 2026: 21 · 2025: 24 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 25 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 32 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 19 · 2017: 20 · 2016: 24 · 2015: 22 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 13
- FWCI
- 26.89
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Mechanics of Materials › Hydrocarbon exploration and reservoir analysis
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Origins and Evolution of Life
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Methane Hydrates and Related Phenomena
- Keywords
- methane, deep subsurface, laboratory simulation, serpentinization, serpentinized ultramafic rocks, hydrogen production, microbial methane production, deep biosphere, hydrothermal systems, gas seepage, volcanic gases, fracture networks, continental crust, oceanic crust
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