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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.