| Popis: |
Abstract The recent discovery of seemingly-inexhaustible CH4 emissions to the hydrosphere through cold seeps and hydrothermal vents supports the occurrence of abiotic H2 and CH4. Abiotic H2 is known to be formed by the reduction of water during serpentinization reactions, while abiotic CH4 forms through Fischer–Tropsch type reactions. However, these pathways for the formation of abiotic H2 and CH4 may not be adequate to explain the enormous CH4 reserves found on the sea bed of continental margins and CH4 production in the earth subsurface. Here we show that various rock constituents (solid acids) must play a catalytic role in H2 production via H2O dissociation, as well as in hydrocarbon formation reactions by thermal dissociation of biomass and synthesis with inorganic carbons. In addition to conventional serpentinization and Fischer–Tropsch type reactions, we propose a new mechanism and alternative pathway for abiotic H2, aliphatic, and aromatic hydrocarbon formation in the subsurface. |
