Cyph3rp9nk on Nostr: The abiogenic theory of petroleum was first proposed in the 19th century, but gained ...
The abiogenic theory of petroleum was first proposed in the 19th century, but gained further development and visibility in the 20th century thanks to several prominent scientists. Some of the first to postulate and explore this theory include:
Dmitri Mendeleev (1834-1907) :
The Russian chemist, known primarily for the periodic table, suggested in 1877 that petroleum could originate from chemical processes in the Earth's interior, beyond organic debris.
Mendeleev proposed that methane and other simple hydrocarbons could be formed from reactions between water and carbon compounds deep in the Earth's mantle.
Nikolai Kudryavtsev (1893-1971):
Russian geologist who, in 1951, formalized the modern version of the abiogenic theory.
Kudryavtsev argued that oil found in sedimentary rocks actually migrated from deep within the earth's crust through geological faults.
He also pointed out that some oil reservoirs were associated with geological formations where not enough organic matter was found to account for the amount of oil accumulated.
Vladimir Porfiryev (1899-1982):
Another Russian geologist who expanded on Kudryavtsev's work, proposing that hydrocarbons are primordial compounds formed in the Earth's mantle.
Porfiryev investigated the composition of reservoirs in Siberia and other regions, concluding that hydrocarbons form independently of biological processes.
4. Thomas Gold (1920-2004):
Austrian-American astrophysicist and geologist who took up and popularized the theory in the West during the second half of the 20th century.
Gold argued that oil and natural gas are continuously produced in the mantle and that bacteria found in oil fields could have colonized the hydrocarbons after their formation.
His book The Deep Hot Biosphere (1999) revitalized interest in the theory.
The abiogenic theory of petroleum proposes that hydrocarbons, including oil and natural gas, did not form from decaying organic remains (plants and animals) under conditions of pressure and temperature, as suggested by conventional biogenic theory. Instead, it holds that petroleum has a primordial origin, related to chemical and physical processes occurring deep in the earth's mantle.
Main postulates of the abiogenic theory:
Deep origin: hydrocarbons are formed from carbon and hydrogen present in the Earth's mantle. This process does not depend on superficial organic material.
Chemical reactions: Under high pressures and temperatures, elements such as carbon and hydrogen react to form methane and other more complex hydrocarbons. These molecules can migrate into the earth's crust through geological fractures and faults.
Renewable reservoirs: According to this theory, petroleum reservoirs could be “renewable” on a geological scale, as processes in the mantle continue to generate hydrocarbons.
Evidence in favor:
Presence of hydrocarbons in meteorites: Hydrocarbons have been found in meteorites, suggesting that these molecules can form in the absence of life.
Petroleum deposits exist in ancient and deep rocks: In areas where there is no evidence of previous organic matter.
Hydrocarbons on planets and moons: Saturn and Jupiter have an abundance of methane and other hydrocarbons in their atmospheres, where there is no known biological activity.
Dmitri Mendeleev (1834-1907) :
The Russian chemist, known primarily for the periodic table, suggested in 1877 that petroleum could originate from chemical processes in the Earth's interior, beyond organic debris.
Mendeleev proposed that methane and other simple hydrocarbons could be formed from reactions between water and carbon compounds deep in the Earth's mantle.
Nikolai Kudryavtsev (1893-1971):
Russian geologist who, in 1951, formalized the modern version of the abiogenic theory.
Kudryavtsev argued that oil found in sedimentary rocks actually migrated from deep within the earth's crust through geological faults.
He also pointed out that some oil reservoirs were associated with geological formations where not enough organic matter was found to account for the amount of oil accumulated.
Vladimir Porfiryev (1899-1982):
Another Russian geologist who expanded on Kudryavtsev's work, proposing that hydrocarbons are primordial compounds formed in the Earth's mantle.
Porfiryev investigated the composition of reservoirs in Siberia and other regions, concluding that hydrocarbons form independently of biological processes.
4. Thomas Gold (1920-2004):
Austrian-American astrophysicist and geologist who took up and popularized the theory in the West during the second half of the 20th century.
Gold argued that oil and natural gas are continuously produced in the mantle and that bacteria found in oil fields could have colonized the hydrocarbons after their formation.
His book The Deep Hot Biosphere (1999) revitalized interest in the theory.
The abiogenic theory of petroleum proposes that hydrocarbons, including oil and natural gas, did not form from decaying organic remains (plants and animals) under conditions of pressure and temperature, as suggested by conventional biogenic theory. Instead, it holds that petroleum has a primordial origin, related to chemical and physical processes occurring deep in the earth's mantle.
Main postulates of the abiogenic theory:
Deep origin: hydrocarbons are formed from carbon and hydrogen present in the Earth's mantle. This process does not depend on superficial organic material.
Chemical reactions: Under high pressures and temperatures, elements such as carbon and hydrogen react to form methane and other more complex hydrocarbons. These molecules can migrate into the earth's crust through geological fractures and faults.
Renewable reservoirs: According to this theory, petroleum reservoirs could be “renewable” on a geological scale, as processes in the mantle continue to generate hydrocarbons.
Evidence in favor:
Presence of hydrocarbons in meteorites: Hydrocarbons have been found in meteorites, suggesting that these molecules can form in the absence of life.
Petroleum deposits exist in ancient and deep rocks: In areas where there is no evidence of previous organic matter.
Hydrocarbons on planets and moons: Saturn and Jupiter have an abundance of methane and other hydrocarbons in their atmospheres, where there is no known biological activity.