Abiogenic Hydrocarbon Production at Lost City Hydrothermal Field
University of Washington · NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory · +2 more institutions
Abstract
Low-molecular-weight hydrocarbons in natural hydrothermal fluids have been attributed to abiogenic production by Fischer-Tropsch type (FTT) reactions, although clear evidence for such a process has been elusive. Here, we present concentration, and stable and radiocarbon isotope, data from hydrocarbons dissolved in hydrogen-rich fluids venting at the ultramafic-hosted Lost City Hydrothermal Field. A distinct "inverse" trend in the stable carbon and hydrogen isotopic composition of C1 to C4 hydrocarbons is compatible with FTT genesis. Radiocarbon evidence rules out seawater bicarbonate as the carbon source for FTT reactions, suggesting that a mantle-derived inorganic carbon source is leached from the host rocks.…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 32.97
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 37
Authors
8- GPG. ProskurowskiCorresponding
University of Washington, NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, ETH Zurich, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
- MDMarvin D. Lilley
University of Washington, NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, ETH Zurich, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
- JSJeffery Seewald
University of Washington, NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, ETH Zurich, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
- GLGretchen L. Früh‐Green
University of Washington, NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, ETH Zurich, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
- EJE. J. Olson
University of Washington, NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, ETH Zurich, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Topics & keywords
- Abiogenic petroleum origin
- Ultramafic rock
- Hydrothermal circulation
- Carbon fibers
- Isotopes of carbon
- Methane
- Geochemistry
- Hydrothermal vent
- Life below water