CompuServe Messages

Thanks for responding Bob, it seems I did not make myself clear – >> 2. Is oil just a contamination of what? Methane? << No, no – are the "bio" molecules (complex and/or optically active) *contaminants of the oil*. I.e., in very small percentages. In other words, has anyone published anything on precisely how much is there, besides just saying they found "some". And then tried to compare that to what might be expected, although this would be a very speculative projection. Please re-read my original message since it would have made no sense if you did not understand I was talking about testing whether the biomolecules might be contaminants of oil. Let me repeat, I am not "against" oil being of bio origin. I am trying to ascertain to what extent it (or any other theory) has been demonstrated. In response to this, you folks have brought up the important points about complex molecules and OA. In response to which I ask, does anyone know exactly *how much* complex molecules and OA stuff is found there — trace amounts, or substantial amounts? Simply following through on the thought. See what I mean? >> 1. Yes optical activity in petroleum is attributed to biological sources. I believe this adds to "circumstantial" evidence of the biological origin of petroleum. Its certainly not "prima facie?" << Certainly it does, but again dependent that greater than trace amounts are found. ("Trace" subject to interpretation, sigh; see original email.) >> 3. As a result of these discussions, I have read that porphyrins decompose above 400 F. Seems this rules out some of the original volcanic sources… << Hmm… yes but… what are the theories about how it was formed from organic origins? Do they all stipulate that geological processing was less than 400 F? What I am saying is, I'm ignorant of conditions underground that are proposed for this process (heat, pressure, how long), any one know? * Thought flash * (uh oh!) In the environmental field, bacteria are under culture that specifically eat (and process) petroleum hydrocarbons. Possibly originally found *in* petroleum hydrocarbons, although I simply don't know. If so, this could put a fly in everyone's oil — instant bio molecules in oil. That could conceivably have been flowing around underground (anaerobically of course) munching on oil for eons. And the biomolecules, etc., found in oil would have to be screened so as to disregard what might arise from micro-organisms that might be living there. I would imagine that I'm unilaterally going speculative, that no work may have been done on this question. But if anyone knows about the above two questions (hard data on percentages of "biomolecules" found in oil, and to what extent bacteria live in oil), please speak up. Thanks! – Mike