Some readers of this blog may recall that Louis Hissink sometimes brings up the subject of at least some oil being 'abiogenic' or 'abiotic' rather than fossil in origin. Most of us remain sceptical of such claims, which seem to be backed by anecdotal evidence at best.
However, an article published in Science on 1st February 2008 entitled, 'Abiogenic Hydrocarbon Production at Lost City Hydrothermal Field' states in the Abstract that, " Our findings illustrate that the abiotic synthesis of hydrocarbons in nature may occur in the presence of ultramafic rocks, water, and moderate amounts of heat."
So, there is now evidence of a mechanism for the abiotic synthesis of hydrocarbons. This is not to say that significant amounts of oil are abiotic in origin, but it is interesting nevertheless.
Readers may also remember my recent blog post,'Natural Gas from Bacteria: A Renewable Resource Linked to Climate Change?'
Imagine that - oil and natural gas as renewable resources!
and Steve thank you for the slide. ("I'd hit post instead of preview)
Hi Steve,
I have received your reply so I'd guess it reappeared. The link that I used is the one "contact Dr Steve Short" under the heading 'Find out more ..." it still has the .au address.
Hi Jan
I received an email from you mysteriously directed to mail@ecoengineers.com.au which you stated had been accessed via my web site. However, the web site domain hasn't used a .au extension since about September 2006. To add even further mystery the email then promptly vanished after a half life within MS Outlook of a few seconds! Please resend to the correct address. Ta.
Ender,
"It is important to note, however, that there does not exist any viable method for the extraction of this oil."
and
"production of the substantial amounts of high. molecular weight alkanes in the C23 to C33 .... hydrocarbons in nature, two species of algae, a ..."
Are they contradicting themselves? More important though is there even a non viable process that might possibly occur naturally like for example the Fischer-Tropsch.
"Processes that specifically produce biodiesel from algae do so because that is what they are designed to do not because you cannot do it."
It is designed that way because the alternative is not viable. Circular arguments really are passe.