Microbial origin of fossil fuels
Chemical analysis of the most varied organic sediments, including coal and petroleum, reveals a surprising commonality: all derive much of their organic matter from once unknown microbial lipids. This field of study, which might be called molecular paleontology, is still relatively young, but already the work has yielded interesting results. A striking similarity in hundreds of sediment samples from throughout the world was found: they all seem to be made up principally of microbial cell debris. The compounds in petroleum are derived from precursors found in the cell membrane of unicellular plankton and of bacteria and other microorganisms that inhabit the sea floor. In the case of coal the conclusion is more tentative. Nevertheless, this anlaysis suggests that many of the substances that can be extracted from coal are not derived directly from trees and higher plants but instead have been reworked by bacteria and fungi dwelling onthe bottom of the swamp.
- OSTI ID:
- 6520705
- Journal Information:
- Sci. Am.; (United States), Vol. 251:2
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
02 PETROLEUM
COAL
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
ORIGIN
PETROLEUM
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
FRACTIONATION
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
LIPIDS
MASS SPECTROSCOPY
MICROORGANISMS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
CHROMATOGRAPHY
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
MATERIALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
SPECTROSCOPY
011000* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
020200 - Petroleum- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration