Reduction of CO2 during serpentinization of olivine at 300 °C and 500 bar

Research Article| April 01, 1996 Reduction of CO2 during serpentinization of olivine at 300 °C and 500 bar Michael E. Berndt; Michael E. Berndt 1Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Douglas E. Allen; Douglas E. Allen 1Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar William E. Seyfried, Jr William E. Seyfried, Jr 1Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (1996) 24 (4): 351–354. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1996)0242.3.CO;2 Article history first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Michael E. Berndt, Douglas E. Allen, William E. Seyfried; Reduction of CO2 during serpentinization of olivine at 300 °C and 500 bar. Geology 1996;; 24 (4): 351–354. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1996)0242.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract CO2 reduction processes occurring during experimental serpentinization of olivine at 300 °C and 500 bar confirm that ultramafic rocks can play an important role in the generation of abiogenic hydrocarbon gas. Data reveal that conversion of Fe(II) in olivine to Fe(III) in magnetite during serpentinization leads to production of H2 and conversion of dissolved CO2 to reduced-C species including methane, ethane, propane, and an amorphous carbonaceous phase. Hydrocarbon gases generated in the process fit a Schulz-Flory distribution consistent with catalysis by mineral reactants or products. Magnetite is inferred to be the catalyst for methanization during serpentinization, because it has been previously shown to accelerate Fischer-Tropsch synthesis of methane in industrial applications involving mixtures of H2 and CO2. The carbonaceous phase was predominantly aliphatic, but had a significant aromatic component. Although this phase should ultimately be converted to hydrocarbon gases and graphite, if full thermodynamic equilibrium were established, its formation in these experiments indicates that the pathway for reduction of CO2 during serpentinization processes is complex and involves a series of metastable intermediates. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.