Nature Communications (Nov 2019)

Abiotic synthesis of graphite in hydrothermal vents

  • Emily R. Estes,
  • Debora Berti,
  • Nicole R. Coffey,
  • Michael F. Hochella,
  • Andrew S. Wozniak,
  • George W. Luther

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-13216-z
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 1
pp. 1 – 6

Abstract

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Deciphering the origin, age, and composition of deep marine organic carbon remains a challenge for understanding the dynamics of the marine carbon cycle. Here, the authors identify (sub)micron-sized graphite emanating from both high and low temperature hydrothermal vents along the East Pacific Rise, and suggest graphite is a source of old carbon in the deep ocean.