Have olivine, will gas: Serpentinization and the abiogenic production of methane on Mars | Zendy

Oze Christopher | Zendy; Sharma Mukul | Zendy

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Have olivine, will gas: Serpentinization and the abiogenic production of methane on Mars

Author(s) -

Oze Christopher,

Sharma Mukul

Publication year - 2005

Publication title -

geophysical research letters

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Journals

SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007

H-Index - 273

eISSN - 1944-8007

pISSN - 0094-8276

DOI - 10.1029/2005gl022691

Subject(s) - abiogenic petroleum origin , mars exploration program , martian , olivine , methane , astrobiology , regolith , geology , atmosphere of mars , crust , geochemistry , geothermal gradient , earth science , geophysics , chemistry , physics , organic chemistry

Spatial variability of methane (CH 4 ) on Mars suggests the presence of localized subsurface sources. Here, we show that olivine hydration in the Martian regolith and crust may be a major CH 4 source, which contributed significantly to the warming of early Mars. Methane production is kinetically and thermodynamically favored during low‐T aqueous alteration of olivine‐rich rocks. Sustained release of CH 4 on present‐day Mars may come through the breakdown of ancient CH 4 hydrates and from springs driven by geothermal heat.

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