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In-situ abiogenic methane synthesis from diamond and graphite under geologically relevant conditions

Author

Listed:
  • Miriam Peña-Alvarez

    (University of Edinburgh)

  • Alberto Vitale Brovarone

    (Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna
    Sorbonne Université, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, UMR CNRS 7590, IRD, Institut de Mináralogie, de Physique des Matáriaux et de Cosmochimie, IMPMC)

  • Mary-Ellen Donnelly

    (Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research (HPSTAR))

  • Mengnan Wang

    (University of Edinburgh)

  • Philip Dalladay-Simpson

    (Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research (HPSTAR))

  • Ross Howie

    (Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research (HPSTAR))

  • Eugene Gregoryanz

    (University of Edinburgh
    Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research (HPSTAR)
    Institute of Solid State Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

Diamond and graphite are fundamental sources of carbon in the upper mantle, and their reactivity with H2-rich fluids present at these depths may represent the key to unravelling deep abiotic hydrocarbon formation. We demonstrate an unexpected high reactivity between carbons’ most common allotropes, diamond and graphite, with hydrogen at conditions comparable with those in the Earth’s upper mantle along subduction zone thermal gradients. Between 0.5-3 GPa and at temperatures as low as 300 °C, carbon reacts readily with H2 yielding methane (CH4), whilst at higher temperatures (500 °C and above), additional light hydrocarbons such as ethane (C2H6) emerge. These results suggest that the interaction between deep H2-rich fluids and reduced carbon minerals may be an efficient mechanism for producing abiotic hydrocarbons at the upper mantle.

Suggested Citation

  • Miriam Peña-Alvarez & Alberto Vitale Brovarone & Mary-Ellen Donnelly & Mengnan Wang & Philip Dalladay-Simpson & Ross Howie & Eugene Gregoryanz, 2021. "In-situ abiogenic methane synthesis from diamond and graphite under geologically relevant conditions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-5, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-26664-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26664-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. A. Vitale Brovarone & D. A. Sverjensky & F. Piccoli & F. Ressico & D. Giovannelli & I. Daniel, 2020. "Subduction hides high-pressure sources of energy that may feed the deep subsurface biosphere," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-11, December.
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