2019 Best Paper Contest

Attendees:

Rob Sohn                             Kirt Robinson

Julie Huber                         Ben Urann

Stefan Sievert                     Andy Cross

Eilean Kozak                       Forrest Horton

Jeff Seewald                       Harry Brodsky

Frieder Klein                      Veronique LeRoux

Emanuel Codillo                Maurice Tivey

Delia Oppo

 

Frieder Klein and Jeff Seewald were the selected winners of the 2019 Best Paper Contest for their entry: ‘Abiotic methane synthesis and serpentinization in olivine-hosted fluid inclusions’

They were awarded Fluid Underground pint glasses and hoodies.

The presentation highlighted the findings of their study and the ubiquitous occurrence of methane (CH4)-rich fluid inclusions in olivine-bearing rocks that, collectively, may constitute one of the largest reservoirs of abiotic CH4 on Earth. Because serpentinization in olivine-hosted fluid inclusions takes place in isolation from the surrounding rock, hydrogen (H2) and CH4 can form in any rock type containing olivine that hosts aqueous fluid inclusions, including those that do not undergo serpentinization on a macroscopic scale. Serpentinization and associated CH4 formation within olivine-hosted fluid inclusions has likely supplied microbial ecosystems with abiotic CH4 throughout most of Earth’s history and may be a source of H2 and CH4 on other planetary bodies in our solar system, even those where liquid water is no longer present.

The Fluid Underground will be holding a Photo contest to showcase the coolest photo of your Fluid Underground bumper sticker in the field. See Rob for stickers, if you do not have any yet!

Our next meeting will be held just before Goldschmidt on June 18, 2020. If you would like to present your research at our next meeting, please let us know!