Synthesis of heavy hydrocarbons at the core-mantle boundary

Anatoly B Belonoshko; Timofiy Lukinov; Anders Rosengren; Taras Bryk; Konstantin D Litasov

doi:10.1038/srep18382

Synthesis of heavy hydrocarbons at the core-mantle boundary

Sci Rep. 2015 Dec 17:5:18382. doi: 10.1038/srep18382.

Authors

Anatoly B Belonoshko¹, Timofiy Lukinov¹, Anders Rosengren^{1

2}, Taras Bryk³, Konstantin D Litasov^{4

5}

Affiliations

¹ Condensed Matter Theory, Theoretical Physics, AlbaNova University Center, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden.
² Center for Quantum Materials, Nordita, Roslagstullsbacken 21, AlbaNova University Center, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden.
³ Institute for Condensed Matter Physics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 1 Svientsitskii Street, UA-79011 Lviv, Ukraine.
⁴ V. S. Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, SB RAS, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia.
⁵ Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia.

Abstract

The synthesis of complex organic molecules with C-C bonds is possible under conditions of reduced activity of oxygen. We have found performing ab initio molecular dynamics simulations of the C-O-H-Fe system that such conditions exist at the core-mantle boundary (CMB). H2O and CO2 delivered to the CMB by subducting slabs provide a source for hydrogen and carbon. The mixture of H2O and CO2 subjected to high pressure (130 GPa) and temperature (4000 to 4500 K) does not lead to synthesis of complex hydrocarbons. However, when Fe is added to the system, C-C bonds emerge. It means that oil might be a more abundant mineral than previously thought.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't