Earth degassing, elementary life forms and hydrocarbons

Despite longstanding debates on origin of hydrocarbons, theories keep coming. The author of the paper presents his view on the role of microorganisms in petroleum formation with respect to deep planetary degassing. Not only does such approach somewhat help to compensate for weak points and shortcomings of both organic and inorganic theories, but It also fills their gaps and enables to draw one’s own conclusion. Interesting microbiology studies of recent years have allowed geologists to differently tackle the issues of elementary life forms, their relation with development of Earth’s atmosphere and lithosphere and potential impact on formation of hydrocarbons.
Materials and methods
The paper features a brief account of author’s ideas on the subject. The judgement is based on the study of scholarly articles of Russian and foreign researchers.
Results
With due account for recent findings in paleontology and microbiology and in the light of global Earth degassing doctrine, the paper substantiates views on prevailing abiogenic origin of large gas deposits, mixed nature of formation of oil deposits and potentially significant role of bacteriogenic factor in formation of giant oil deposits.
Сonclusions
That being said, the role of deep subsurface microorganisms in formation of oil appears to be debatable and requires further in-depth study. Continuous accumulation of relevant data may help to reconsider the aspect of contribution of bacteriogenic factor to formation and accumulation of oil, including giant and unique deposits, and formation of hydrocarbons in crystalline basement.