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Intramolecular isotopic evidence for bacterial oxidation of propane in subsurface natural gas reservoirs.

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Title: Intramolecular isotopic evidence for bacterial oxidation of propane in subsurface natural gas reservoirs.
Authors: Gilbert, Alexis1,2 gilbert.a.aa@m.titech.ac.jp, Lollar, Barbara Sherwood3, Musat, Florin4, Giunta, Thomas3, Songcan Chen4, Yuki Kajimoto5, Keita Yamada5, Boreham, Christopher J.6, Naohiro Yoshida1,5, Yuichiro Ueno1,2
Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 4/2/2019, Vol. 116 Issue 14, p6653-6658. 6p.
Subjects: Intramolecular isotope effects, Anaerobic bacteria, Oxidation of propane, Gas reservoirs, Hydrocarbons
Abstract: Microbial anaerobic oxidation of hydrocarbons is a key process potentially involved in a myriad of geological and biochemical environments yet has remained notoriously difficult to identify and quantify in natural environments. We performed position-specific carbon isotope analysis of propane from cracking and incubation experiments. Anaerobic bacterial oxidation of propane leads to a pronounced and previously unidentified 13C enrichment in the central position of propane, which contrasts with the isotope signature associated with the thermogenic process. This distinctive signature allows the detection and quantification of anaerobic oxidation of hydrocarbons in diverse natural gas reservoirs and suggests that this process may be more widespread than previously thought. Position-specific isotope analysis can elucidate the fate of natural gas hydrocarbons and provide insight into a major but previously cryptic process controlling the biogeochemical cycling of globally significant greenhouse gases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Engineering Source
Description
Abstract:Microbial anaerobic oxidation of hydrocarbons is a key process potentially involved in a myriad of geological and biochemical environments yet has remained notoriously difficult to identify and quantify in natural environments. We performed position-specific carbon isotope analysis of propane from cracking and incubation experiments. Anaerobic bacterial oxidation of propane leads to a pronounced and previously unidentified 13C enrichment in the central position of propane, which contrasts with the isotope signature associated with the thermogenic process. This distinctive signature allows the detection and quantification of anaerobic oxidation of hydrocarbons in diverse natural gas reservoirs and suggests that this process may be more widespread than previously thought. Position-specific isotope analysis can elucidate the fate of natural gas hydrocarbons and provide insight into a major but previously cryptic process controlling the biogeochemical cycling of globally significant greenhouse gases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:00278424
DOI:10.1073/pnas.1817784116