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Carbon isotopic fractionation in the process of Fischer-Tropsch reaction in primitive solar nebula

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Abstract

Carbon isotopic fractionation of low-weight molecules of the products of Fischer-Tropsch reaction under the conditions of Earth's accumulation region in primitive solar nebula has been experimentally studied. Among the reaction products, carbon dioxide has the heaviest isotopic composition; carbon isotopic composition of methane has a large variation; different from biogenic natural gases, carbon isotopic compositions among ethane, propane and butane yield a reverse distribution pattern. It suggests that primordial hydrocarbons that were captured in the interior of the Earth during its accretion possess a reverse carbon isotopic distribution pattern.

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Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 49233060).

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Hu, G., Ouyang, Z., Wang, X. et al. Carbon isotopic fractionation in the process of Fischer-Tropsch reaction in primitive solar nebula. Sci. China Ser. D-Earth Sci. 41, 202–207 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02932441

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02932441

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