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Q: NANOBACTERIA & OIL ( Answered 5 out of 5 stars,   1 Comment )
Question  
Subject: NANOBACTERIA & OIL
Category: Science > Biology
Asked by: kongulu-ga
List Price: $2.00
Posted: 26 Jan 2003 08:46 PST
Expires: 25 Feb 2003 08:46 PST
Question ID: 148737
Some scientists believe OIL is produced as a byproduct of nanobacteria
metabolic processes (possibly in association with a deep planetary
process). Questions:

01) I am looking for any documents discussing the theory?

02) I am looking for a name I can contact?
Answer  
Subject: Re: NANOBACTERIA & OIL
Answered By: bio-ga on 26 Jan 2003 21:19 PST
Rated:5 out of 5 stars
 
Hi,

It is true that some theory exists saying the source for oil is not
formed from the decomposition of dead lifeforms, but bacteria. The
theory is widely attributed to Thomas Gold, Cornell University
Professor emeritus of astronomy.

The many molecules of unquestionably biological origin in petroleum -
hopanes, pristine, phytane, steranes, certain porphyrins - can all be
produced by bacteria, and such microbial life at depth is indeed now
seen to be widespread.

You may want to check out his book on the subject: 
http://www.rbookshop.com/engineering/g/Geology/The_Deep_Hot_Biosphere_0387985468.htm
The Deep Hot Biosphere

His personal web site is located at
http://www.people.cornell.edu/pages/tg21/.

If you go to the "Natural Gas and Oil" link:

http://people.cornell.edu/pages/tg21/Natgas.html

The many molecules of unquestionably biological origin in petroleum -
hopanes, pristine, phytane, steranes, certain porphyrins - can all be
produced by bacteria, and such microbial life at depth is indeed now
seen to be widespread.

Doing a Google search with the keywords

"Thomas Gold" oil bacteria

also brings other links that discuss the theory. Some of the links
include:

http://www.gsreport.com/articles/art000019.html
New Theory Says Oil Reserves Bigger Than Expected

http://www.discover.com/science_news/ancient/deep.html
Life is Deep

http://abob.libs.uga.edu/bobk/ccc/cc112598.html
Cambridge Conference Correspondence (Quoted from The Times, 25
November 1998: Is This How Life Really Began?)

Hope this helps
Regars
Bio
Google Answers Researcher
kongulu-ga rated this answer:5 out of 5 stars and gave an additional tip of: $1.00
The researcher answered the question and provided material to followup
on. Thank you.

Comments  
Subject: Re: NANOBACTERIA & OIL
From: bio-ga on 27 Jan 2003 11:37 PST
 
Thank you for your rating and the tip. Have a good day.

Bio

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