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Low 13C-13C abundances in abiotic ethane

Author

Listed:
  • Koudai Taguchi

    (Tokyo Institute of Technology)

  • Alexis Gilbert

    (Tokyo Institute of Technology
    Tokyo Institute of Technology)

  • Barbara Sherwood Lollar

    (University of Toronto
    Université Paris Cité)

  • Thomas Giunta

    (University of Toronto
    Univ Brest, CNRS, Ifremer, Geo-Ocean)

  • Christopher J. Boreham

    (Geoscience Australia)

  • Qi Liu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Juske Horita

    (Texas Tech University)

  • Yuichiro Ueno

    (Tokyo Institute of Technology
    Tokyo Institute of Technology
    Institute for Extra-cutting-edge Science and Technology Avant-garde Research (X-star), Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC))

Abstract

Distinguishing biotic compounds from abiotic ones is important in resource geology, biogeochemistry, and the search for life in the universe. Stable isotopes have traditionally been used to discriminate the origins of organic materials, with particular focus on hydrocarbons. However, despite extensive efforts, unequivocal distinction of abiotic hydrocarbons remains challenging. Recent development of clumped-isotope analysis provides more robust information because it is independent of the stable isotopic composition of the starting material. Here, we report data from a 13C-13C clumped-isotope analysis of ethane and demonstrate that the abiotically-synthesized ethane shows distinctively low 13C-13C abundances compared to thermogenic ethane. A collision frequency model predicts the observed low 13C-13C abundances (anti-clumping) in ethane produced from methyl radical recombination. In contrast, thermogenic ethane presumably exhibits near stochastic 13C-13C distribution inherited from the biological precursor, which undergoes C-C bond cleavage/recombination during metabolism. Further, we find an exceptionally high 13C-13C signature in ethane remaining after microbial oxidation. In summary, the approach distinguishes between thermogenic, microbially altered, and abiotic hydrocarbons. The 13C-13C signature can provide an important step forward for discrimination of the origin of organic molecules on Earth and in extra-terrestrial environments.

Suggested Citation

  • Koudai Taguchi & Alexis Gilbert & Barbara Sherwood Lollar & Thomas Giunta & Christopher J. Boreham & Qi Liu & Juske Horita & Yuichiro Ueno, 2022. "Low 13C-13C abundances in abiotic ethane," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-33538-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33538-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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