Abstract
TAZIEFF's conclusion that the presence of substantial amounts of carbon monoxide and hydrogen in gas from Nyiragongo rules out the possibility of juvenile methane existing at depth is not justified since oxidation of methane by steam according to the reaction: CH4 + H2O = CO + 3H2 would yield just the gases that appear in his analyses. This reaction has been investigated at one atmosphere1,2 at which pressure equilibrium lies well to the right. My library facilities are limited and I have been unable to find an account of variation with pressure, but clearly high pressure will shift the equilibrium towards the left. Oxidation of methane by steam is not, of course, atmospheric oxidation and I regret the omission of a reference to alternative means of oxidation in my original communication.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Wagman, D. D., et al., J. Res. Nat. Bur. Stand., 34, 143 (1945).
Ellis, A. J., Amer. J. Sci., 255, 416 (1957).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
BURKE, K. Dissolved Gases in East African Lakes. Nature 200, 1308 (1963). https://doi.org/10.1038/2001308b0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/2001308b0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.