Proceedings Article | 4 September 2009
KEYWORDS: Solar system, Mars, Planets, Solids, Biopolymers, Saturn, Comets, Temperature metrology, Asteroids, Methane
Results of earlier research using organic petrological, geochemical, SEM-EDX, and FSSEM confirm
the presence of abundant biogenic components in terrestrial sedimentary rocks since 3.5 Ga. These
organic components in the Precambrian terrestrial sediments and within the carbonaceous chondrites
(CCs) possibly originated from organisms such as archaea and prokaryotes. Our ongoing results on
selected CCs indicate that these biopolymers and geopolymers are the main sources of all recent
hydrocarbons (oil and gas) within our Solar System (especially within Mars, various moons of the
Saturn, and Comets) similar to early terrestrial environment. These hydrocarbons are possibly
derived from three temperature-influenced transformations of organic remains: (a) Low-temperature
induced (50-200°C): Hydrocarbons (oil and gas) are derived from the bacterial and other primitive
organic remains (e.g. Murchison, Orgueil, and Tagish Lake); (b) Transitional-temperature induced
(200-300°C): These hydrocarbons are formed directly from the biopolymers either within deeper part
of the individual planet or asteroids using a mineral catalyst or from a direct transformation on the
surface of the individual Planet or Asteroid bodies by intense solar radiation (e.g. ALH 840001 and
NWA), and (c) High temperature and pressure induced (350-500°C) - These hydrocarbons
(pyrobitumen, inert kerogen, and mainly methane) are formed in a superheated (hydrothermal)
environment similar to that of the biological habitat within hydrothermal vents along terrestrial midoceanic
ridges (e.g. Allende, EET and Vigarano). In such an extreme oxygen-depleted environment,
biological life and hydrocarbon generation are intimately linked.
Apart from the concept of panspermia, our earlier data highlights a possible link between universal
life, biopolymers, geopolymers and their thermal decomposition to hydrocarbons (oil and gas) in
various planets similar to terrestrial sediments. The organics and water within CCs and comets,
recent discoveries of methane, gas hydrates, water as ice and snow storms, and the key geological
features within Mars, liquid low molecular weight hydrocarbon (methane to propane) lakes and solid
gas hydrates within various moons of Saturn and Jupiter all point to the presence of biologically
derived petroleum within our Solar System. Our model of a Universal Unconventional Petroleum
System promises major prospects of oil and gas throughout our Solar System and especially within
Mars and various moons of Saturn. Based on the physicochemical constraints, earlier research, and
recent discoveries we predict a major prospect of heavy oil (similar to Tar Sand in Alberta, Canada)
and light hydrocarbon gases within Mars.
