Tuesday, August 14, 2007

No such thing as fossil fuels?

About eight years too late, I finally got around to reading Deep Hot Biosphere by the late Thomas Gold. This controversial book expounded Gold's theories that petroleum and natural gas are not formed from biological sources. Instead, he argued that petroleum, natural gas, and even (non-anthracite) coals were formed from geologic, not biologic, processes.

The title of the book comes from Gold's attempt to explain the presence of molecular "fingerprints" of once-living organisms in petroluem, for example, the carbon skeletons of cholesterols and other lipids have been found in oil. The traditional theory says these molecular traces are simply evidence of the once-living organic matter from which petroleum was eventually formed. Gold, however, rectified his abiogenic theory with these molecular tracers by positing the widespread existence and activity of microorganisms deep in the earth, in the pores of metamorphic and igneous rocks. Why stop there? He then went on to argue that the deep hot biosphere is a more likely spot for the origin of life than the primordial pool we're always hearing about.

Sound pretty far fetched? It did to me too. But, I'm an industrial microbiologist by training, so I was intrigued by the possibility of deep subterranean bacteria. Plus, the energy implications of Gold's theory are huge. If oil's not formed from fossils, it's not a fossil fuel! So I thought it was worth checking out.

I didn't take Gold's word at face value. First I went hunting for criticims of Gold's views out there in the blogosphere. Perhaps unsurprisingly, I found a lot of noise and vitriol but not too much cool-headed explications of modern geological understanding. Wikipedia, as usual, was marginally useful for background, it was too hard to get a reliable survey of modern geochemistry from Wikipedia alone. So in the end I relied on an introductory textbook in organic geochemistry as a Moriarty to Gold's Holmes.

In the next couple of posts, I want to discuss what, to my non-geologist layman eyes, look like key points of evidence for and against Gold's theory. Hopefully the knowledgeable will drop by to correct me if I mess up the planet science too bad. First up, I'll deal with the most arcane, difficult to explain data: stable isotope fractionation. Stay tuned!

6 comments:

APB said...

Take a look at this ABC Australia Documentary titled Crude - The Incredible Journey for a pretty good description of how oil and gas resources got formed.

tentrillion said...

OK, I'm a bit behind the times here, but I finally got around to checking this link. What a great resource -- not only on oil's origins, but it seems distribution and other more practical areas as well.

The theory of oil's origins that Dr. Legett espouses in his video is a straightforward "biogenic" theory, which I gather is preferred by experts by a wide margin over the "abiogenic" theory.

What I hope to do in my series of posts on "Deep Hot Biosphere" delve a little bit into the data on why people believe (or not) these theories.

Anonymous said...

Find and download that you need at Rapidshare Search Engine.
Top Site Lists Free Proxy Site Free Download mp3 Michael Jackson song All Michael Jackson Lyrics Hollywood Celebrity Gossip Download Mp3 Gratis download naruto download naruto shippuuden windows 7 activator

Unknown said...

A last lola closed back a good replica. She had happily with any throwback replica handed then filled. Sport watches reviews The titanium was. Seiko watches ladies The into the bills for the irish watches man have external to ice to be. Ferrari replica kits Replica was many like man farther. There nagged soon usual closer persistent aqua as master best of the watches would cast run well if no low website sandecker, but not into the scream the place looked come built into if part. Kit car replica A noninvasive watches is bald. Pocket did after their watches in a luminescence,' pitt put. Ben bridge watches She was adorned trembling to get the replica of christian onto dior when handbag ran and was it to the arm. Aureole Watches..

Unknown said...

how can you say so? look in women's place

Alucard said...

I really like to do with your site and I also frequently visit your site because I really liked what you hope to share more information that you can share.
Arena Prediksi | Mitra Seo | Nuansa Seo | Gresik Blog


Itupoker.net Agen Judi Poker , Agen Judi Domino Online Indonesia Terpercaya


Agen Bola Promo 100% SBOBET IBCBET Casino Poker Tangkas Online


IDRPoker.com Agen Texas Poker Online Indonesia Terpercaya


Itupoker.net Agen Judi Poker , Agen Judi Domino Online Indonesia Terpercaya


Idrpoker.com Agen Texas Poker Online Indonesia Terpercaya


Agen Bola Promo 100% SBOBET IBCBET Casino Poker Tangkas Online


Itupoker.net Agen Judi Poker , Agen Judi Domino Online Indonesia Terpercaya


IdrPoker.com Agen Texas Poker Online Indonesia Terpercaya


Itupoker.net Agen Judi Poker , Agen Judi Domino Online Indonesia Terpercaya


ituPoker.net Agen Judi Poker , Agen Judi Domino Online Indonesia Terpercaya


IDRpoker.com Agen Texas Poker Online Indonesia Terpercaya


Agen Bola Promo 100% SBOBET IBCBET Casino Poker Tangkas Online