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

Miriam Peña-Alvarez, Alberto Vitale Brovarone, Mary-Ellen Donnelly, Mengnan Wang, Philip Dalladay-Simpson, Ross Howie and Eugene Gregoryanz ()
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Miriam Peña-Alvarez: University of Edinburgh
Alberto Vitale Brovarone: Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna
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

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-5

Abstract: 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.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26664-3

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