USGS · 70010108
Methane in Lake Kivu: New data bearing on its origin
Abstract
Lake Kivu, an African rift lake, contains about 50 cubic kilometers of methane (at standard temperature and pressure) in its deep water. Data resulting from two recent expeditions to the lake and a reevaluation of earlier data suggest that most of the methane was formed by bacteria from abiogenetic carbon dioxide and hydrogen, rather than being of volcanic origin or having formed from decomposing organic matter.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Explore connections, maps & timelines
W.G. Deuser, E.T. Degens, G.R. Harvey, M. Rubin. 1973. Methane in Lake Kivu: New data bearing on its origin. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.181.4094.51
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.