| Abstract: | To understand the processes responsible for the presence of low-molecular-weight hydrocarbons (C1-C4) in anoxic environments, we studied sediments collected from an anaerobic estuarine mudflat. In these sediments methane (C1) was several orders of magnitude more abundant than all other C2-C4 hydrocarbons; the C1 (C2 + C3) ratio was ??? 13,000. Mean ethane/ethene and propane/propene ratios were 0.4 and 0.7, respectively. Production of C1-C4 hydrocarbons was monitored during prolonged incubation (7 months) of sediments at 27?? and 4??C. Samples stored at 27??C generated significant quantities of C1-C4 hydrocarbon gases. Incubation at 4??C inhibited production of these gases. Several bactericides were tested with respect to their ability to inhibit formation of gaseous hydrocarbons. Sodium azide, chloroform, and 2-bromoethanesulfonic acid effectively inhibited methane formation, but not ethene formation in dilute continuously-shaken sediment slurries. Zephiran chloride only caused partial inhibition of methanogenesis (46%) and ethene generation (34%) in these slurries. In experiments with more concentrated unshaken sediment slurries, however, zephiran chloride and sodium azide did not block formation of methane, ethane, or propane. Only storage at -10??C prevented production of these gases. These results indicate that C1-C4 hydrocarbons can be formed by low-temperature reactions, possibly mediated by microorganisms. ?? 1982. |
| Genre: | Article |
| ProdID: | 70011490 |
| Citation Author: | Vogel, T. M.; Oremland, R. S.; Kvenvolden, K. A. |
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| Citation End Page: | 298 |
| Citation Issue: | 3-4 |
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| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | Chemical Geology |
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| Citation Number Of Pages: | 10 |
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| Citation Publisher: | Elsevier |
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| Citation Search Results Text: | Low-temperature formation of hydrocarbon gases in San Francisco Bay sediment (California, U.S.A.); 1982; Article; Journal; Chemical Geology; Vogel, T. M.; Oremland, R. S.; Kvenvolden, K. A. |
| Citation Start Page: | 289 |
| Citation Volume: | 37 |
| Citation Year: | 1982 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Low-temperature formation of hydrocarbon gases in San Francisco Bay sediment (California, U.S.A.); 1982; Article; Journal; Chemical Geology; Vogel, T. M.; Oremland, R. S.; Kvenvolden, K. A. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| URL (DIGITAL OBJECT IDENTIFIER): | http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0009-2541(82)90084-5 |
| Date Other: | Fri, 1 Jan 1982 00:00 -0600 |
| Publisher: | Elsevier |
