Reference

The arguments against the serpentinite mechanism creating hydrocarbons include:

1. Laboratory Experiments: These experiments suggest that thermal cracking of long-chain hydrocarbons produces a gas enriched in C2-C4 hydrocarbons, which is not consistent with the hydrocarbon distribution in natural petroleum.

2. Carbon Isotope Ratios: The carbon isotope ratios of hydrocarbons produced by the serpentinite mechanism do not match those typically found in conventional oil and gas deposits.

3. Lack of Direct Evidence: There is a scarcity of direct evidence linking serpentinite reactions to significant hydrocarbon generation.

4. Energy Requirements: The process may require specific conditions that are not commonly found in nature, such as high pressures and temperatures.

5. Hydrocarbon Distribution: The distribution of hydrocarbons in natural petroleum does not align with what would be expected from abiogenic processes like the serpentinite mechanism.

6. Biogenic Hydrocarbons: The overwhelming majority of hydrocarbons in Earth's crust are thought to be of biological origin, which challenges the significance of abiogenic sources.

7. Geochemical Evidence: Geochemical evidence suggests that most hydrocarbons are derived from the thermal alteration of organic matter, not from abiogenic processes.

8. Economic Viability: The economic viability of extracting hydrocarbons from serpentinite reactions is questionable due to the low concentrations of hydrocarbons produced.

9. Molecular Structure: The molecular structure of hydrocarbons generated through abiogenic processes may not be suitable for use as fuel.

10. Research Focus: Most research in the field is directed towards understanding biogenic sources of hydrocarbons, with less focus on abiogenic processes.

These arguments are based on scientific literature and ongoing debates within the scientific community regarding the origins of hydrocarbons.