Hydrothermal serpentinization of peridotite within the oceanic crust: Experimental investigations of mineralogy and major element chemistry

Janecky, David R.; Seyfried, William E.

doi:10.1016/0016-7037(86)90311-x

Cited by 284 publications

(226 citation statements)

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“…This reaction can evolve hydrogen (Janecky and Seyfried Jr, 1986;Berndt et al, 1996), which can serve as an electron donor for numerous microorganisms including methanogens and sulfate reducers. In fact, Bach and Edwards (2003) estimated that autotrophic sulfate reduction and methanogenesis in marine basalts could result in substantial prokaryotic biomass (9 ± 7 Â 10 10 and 3 ± 2 Â 10 10 g C per year, respectively).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One such process is methanogenesis, where hydrogen can serve as the electron donor to reduce carbon dioxide, evolving methane. During fluid-rock interactions when the basalt minerals olivine and pyroxene react with water, hydrogen may be evolved (Janecky and Seyfried Jr, 1986;Berndt et al, 1996). Thus, the requisite electron donor may be present as a result of this abiotic reaction.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Prokaryotic diversity, distribution, and insights into their role in biogeochemical cycling in marine basalts

et al. 2008

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We used molecular techniques to analyze basalts of varying ages that were collected from the East Pacific Rise, 91 N, from the rift axis of the Juan de Fuca Ridge and from neighboring seamounts. Cluster analysis of 16S rDNA terminal restriction fragment polymorphism data revealed that basalt endoliths are distinct from seawater and that communities clustered, to some degree, based on the age of the host rock. This age-based clustering suggests that alteration processes may affect community structure. Cloning and sequencing of bacterial and archaeal 16S rRNA genes revealed 12 different phyla and subphyla associated with basalts. These include the Gemmatimonadetes, Nitrospirae, the candidate phylum SBR1093 in the bacteria, and in the Archaea Marine Benthic Group B, none of which have been previously reported in basalts. We delineated novel ocean crust clades in the c-Proteobacteria, Planctomycetes and Actinobacteria that are composed entirely of basalt-associated microflora, and may represent basalt ecotypes. Finally, microarray analysis of functional genes in basalt revealed that genes coding for previously unreported processes such as carbon fixation, methane oxidation, methanogenesis and nitrogen fixation are present, suggesting that basalts harbor previously unrecognized metabolic diversity. These novel processes could exert a profound influence on ocean chemistry.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

Prokaryotic diversity, distribution, and insights into their role in biogeochemical cycling in marine basalts

et al. 2008

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“…Additionally, secondary minerals such as magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) and/or awaruite (Ni 3 Fe) are produced during olivine hydrolysis, providing increased opportunities for FTT catalysis (13,15,(18)(19)(20)(21). Here, we evaluate the rate of abiotic CH 4 production for systems catalyzed both by chromite and secondary minerals (magnetite and awaruite) in experimental systems undergoing serpentinization at 200°C and 0.03 gigapascal (GPa), conditions similar to hydrothermally altered peridotite in midocean ridge environments on Earth or at approximately 5 km depth in the Martian subsurface.…”

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confidence: 99%

Differentiating biotic from abiotic methane genesis in hydrothermally active planetary surfaces

Oze

Jones

Goldsmith

et al. 2012

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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Molecular hydrogen (H 2 ) is derived from the hydrothermal alteration of olivine-rich planetary crust. Abiotic and biotic processes consume H 2 to produce methane (CH 4 ); however, the extent of either process is unknown. Here, we assess the temporal dependence and limit of abiotic CH 4 related to the presence and formation of mineral catalysts during olivine hydrolysis (i.e., serpentinization) at 200°C and 0.03 gigapascal. Results indicate that the rate of CH 4 production increases to a maximum value related to magnetite catalyzation. By identifying the dynamics of CH 4 production, we kinetically model how the H 2 to CH 4 ratio may be used to assess the origin of CH 4 in deep subsurface serpentinization systems on Earth and Mars. Based on our model and available field data, low H 2 ∕CH 4 ratios (less than approximately 40) indicate that life is likely present and active.kinetics | molecular hydrogen | Fischer-Tropsch type reactions | methanogenesis O livine hydrolysis (i.e., serpentinization) is a major pathway related to the near-surface synthesis of molecular hydrogen (H 2 ) on Earth, Mars, and, potentially, other planets and satellites (1-4). Molecular hydrogen from serpentinization can chemically reduce carbon (e.g., HCO 3 − , HCOOH, CO, CO 2 ) to form CH 4 or can be converted to CH 4 via microbial processes (i.e., methanogenesis) (1, 3, 5-12). Although CH 4 formation is thermodynamically favorable over a range of pressure (P) and temperature (T) (13, 14), CH 4 production via Fischer-Tropsch type (FTT) reactions is slow without the aid of mineral catalysts (3,9,15,16). To understand the limits of abiotic CH 4 production, it is imperative to assess the role of mineral catalysts, both those initially present in the system and those formed during the process of serpentinization.Chromite (FeCr 2 O 4 ), a primary mineral common in serpentinization systems, has been shown to enhance FTT synthesis reactions (17). Additionally, secondary minerals such as magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) and/or awaruite (Ni 3 Fe) are produced during olivine hydrolysis, providing increased opportunities for FTT catalysis (13,15,(18)(19)(20)(21). Here, we evaluate the rate of abiotic CH 4 production for systems catalyzed both by chromite and secondary minerals (magnetite and awaruite) in experimental systems undergoing serpentinization at 200°C and 0.03 gigapascal (GPa), conditions similar to hydrothermally altered peridotite in midocean ridge environments on Earth or at approximately 5 km depth in the Martian subsurface. By measuring H 2 and CH 4 formed during olivine hydrolysis, mineral-catalyzed CH 4 production can be differentiated from biogenic CH 4 production through a consideration of the H 2 -CH 4 kinetic balance. Experimental ProceduresSerpentinization experiments were carried out in the WaterRock Interaction Laboratory (US Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA) using the parameters listed in

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“…Isotopic investigations have shown that such serpentinized peridotites, similar to altered MORB, are the products of high-temperature and -pressure reactions between peridotite and seawater Taylor 1971, 1973;Sakai and Tsutsumi 1978). Hydrothermal alteration of peridotite was studied experimentally (Seyfried and Dibble 1980;Hajash and Chandler 1981;Janecky and Seyfried 1986) even before the discovery of natural peridotite-hosted hydrothermal vents at Logachev field (Krasnov et al 1995). Reactions between peridotite and seawater under high temperature and pressure have also been examined in batch-type experiments (see Chap.…”

Section: 2mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…7). Under high temperature and pressure, the oxidation of ferrous ion [Fe(II)] in primary minerals such as olivine and pyroxene to Fe (III) in secondary minerals such as magnetite reduces water and releases H 2 gas: Janeckey and Seyfried (1986) experimentally investigated the serpentinization of harzburgite at 300 C and 50 MPa, but they did not measure hydrogen continuously during their experiment. Instead, they collected samples for hydrogen measurement only twice, after 10 months and 2 years.…”

Section: 2mentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Hydrogen Production in Hydrothermal and Fault Systems: Significance for Habitability of Subseafloor H2 Chemoautotroph Microbial Ecosystems

Suzuki

Shibuya

Yoshizaki

et al. 2014

Subseafloor Biosphere Linked to Hydrothermal Systems

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Hydrogen generated in hydrothermal and fault systems has recently received considerable attention as a potential energy source for hydrogen-based microbial activity such as methanogenesis. Laboratory experiments that have reproduced conditions for the serpentinization of ultramafic rocks such as peridotite and komatiite have clarified the chemical and petrological processes of H 2 production. In a frictional experimental study, we recently showed that abundant H 2 can also be generated in a simulated fault system. This result suggests that microbial ecosystems might exist in subseafloor fault systems. Here we review the experimental constraints on hydrogen production in hydrothermal and fault systems.

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Hydrothermal serpentinization of peridotite within the oceanic crust: Experimental investigations of mineralogy and major element chemistry

Cited by 284 publications

References 81 publications

Prokaryotic diversity, distribution, and insights into their role in biogeochemical cycling in marine basalts

Prokaryotic diversity, distribution, and insights into their role in biogeochemical cycling in marine basalts

Differentiating biotic from abiotic methane genesis in hydrothermally active planetary surfaces

Experimental Hydrogen Production in Hydrothermal and Fault Systems: Significance for Habitability of Subseafloor H2 Chemoautotroph Microbial Ecosystems

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