Formation temperatures of thermogenic and biogenic methane
Methane is an important greenhouse gas and energy resource generated dominantly by methanogens at low temperatures and through the breakdown of organic molecules at high temperatures. However, methane-formation temperatures in nature are often poorly constrained. We measured formation temperatures of thermogenic and biogenic methane using a “clumped isotope” technique. Thermogenic gases yield formation temperatures between 157° and 221°C, within the nominal gas window, and biogenic gases yield formation temperatures consistent with their comparatively lower-temperature formational environments (<50°C). In systems where gases have migrated and other proxies for gas-generation temperature yield ambiguous results, methane clumped-isotope temperatures distinguish among and allow for independent tests of possible gas-formation models.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 2014 |
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Title | Formation temperatures of thermogenic and biogenic methane |
DOI | 10.1126/science.1254509 |
Authors | D.A. Stolper, M. Lawson, C.L. Davis, A.A. Ferreira, E. V. Santos Neto, G.S. Ellis, M. D. Lewan, Anna M. Martini, Y. Tang, M. Schoell, A.L. Sessions, J.M. Eiler |
Publication Type | Article |
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Series Title | Science |
Index ID | 70115103 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
USGS Organization | Central Energy Resources Science Center |