Special Section
Deciphering the Origin of Abiotic Organic Compounds on Earth: Review and Future Prospects
Chao WANG,
Renbiao TAO,
Jesse B. WALTERS,
Tianshi REN,
Jingbo NAN,
Lifei ZHANG,
Chao WANG
MOE Key Laboratory of Orogenic Belts and Crustal Evolution, School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871 China
Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research (HPSTAR), Beijing, 100094 China
Search for more papers by this authorRenbiao TAO
Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research (HPSTAR), Beijing, 100094 China
Search for more papers by this authorJesse B. WALTERS
Institut für Geowissenschaften, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, 60438 Germany
Search for more papers by this authorTianshi REN
MOE Key Laboratory of Orogenic Belts and Crustal Evolution, School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871 China
Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research (HPSTAR), Beijing, 100094 China
Search for more papers by this authorJingbo NAN
Department of Ocean Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055 China
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Lifei ZHANG
MOE Key Laboratory of Orogenic Belts and Crustal Evolution, School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871 China
Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorChao WANG,
Renbiao TAO,
Jesse B. WALTERS,
Tianshi REN,
Jingbo NAN,
Lifei ZHANG,
Chao WANG
MOE Key Laboratory of Orogenic Belts and Crustal Evolution, School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871 China
Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research (HPSTAR), Beijing, 100094 China
Search for more papers by this authorRenbiao TAO
Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research (HPSTAR), Beijing, 100094 China
Search for more papers by this authorJesse B. WALTERS
Institut für Geowissenschaften, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, 60438 Germany
Search for more papers by this authorTianshi REN
MOE Key Laboratory of Orogenic Belts and Crustal Evolution, School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871 China
Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research (HPSTAR), Beijing, 100094 China
Search for more papers by this authorJingbo NAN
Department of Ocean Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055 China
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Lifei ZHANG
MOE Key Laboratory of Orogenic Belts and Crustal Evolution, School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871 China
Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorAbout the first author:
WANG Chao is a Ph.D. student in the School of Earth and Space Sciences at Peking University. His current research focuses on the abiotic generation of hydrocarbons in the Earth's deep interior, with emphasis on the application of thermodynamic simulations, high P-T experimental simulations, and in situ highly temporal/spatial-resolved spectroscopic petrological investigation techniques. His research interest is mainly in the field of high-pressure fluid-rock interactions, nano-geochemistry, and in situ high-pressure experimental technology, especially those related to deep carbon behaviors. E-mail: [email protected].
About the corresponding author:
ZHANG Lifei is a professor in the School of Earth and Space Sciences at Peking University. His research interest is mainly in the field of high-pressure and high-temperature metamorphism in the subduction zones, orogenic belt evolutions, and deep carbon cycle, with emphasis on the application of petrological investigations, numerical simulations, and experimental simulations. His current research focuses on the abiotic generation of hydrocarbons in subduction zones. E-mail: [email protected].
Abstract
The geologic production of abiotic organic compounds has been the subject of increasing scientific attention due to their use in the global carbon flux balance, by chemosynthetic biological communities, and for energy resources. Extensive analysis of methane (CH4) and other organics in diverse geologic settings, combined with thermodynamic modelings and laboratory simulations, have yielded insights into the distribution of specific abiotic organic molecules on Earth and the favorable conditions and pathways under which they form. This updated and comprehensive review summarizes published results of petrological, thermodynamic, and experimental investigations of possible pathways for the formation of particular species of abiotic simple hydrocarbon molecules such as CH4, and of complex hydrocarbon systems, e.g., long-chain hydrocarbons and even solid carbonaceous matters, in various geologic processes, distinguished into three classes: (1) pre- to early planetary processes; (2) mantle and magmatic processes; and (3) the gas/water-rock reaction processes in low-pressure ultramafic rock and high-pressure subduction zone systems. We not only emphasize how organics are abiotically synthesized but also explore the role or changes of organics in evolutionary geological environments after synthesis, such as phase transitions or organic-mineral interactions. Correspondingly, there is an urgent need to explore the diversity of abiotic organic compounds prevailing on Earth.
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