2012/06/07 by Christopher Oze, Luke Jones, Jonas I. Goldsmith +1 · 1 citation
Environmental Science · Physics and Astronomy · Earth and Planetary Sciences · #Methane Hydrates and Related Phenomena #Planetary Science and Exploration #Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils
paper · pdf · doi:10.1073/pnas.1205223109
openalex publication_date 2012/06/07 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/10
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.