Molecular indicators for palaeoenvironmental change in a Messinian evaporitic sequence (Vena del Gesso, Italy). II: High-resolution variations in abundances and 13C contents of free and sulphur-bound carbon skeletons in a single marl bed

The extractable organic matter of 10 immature samples from a marl bed of one evaporitic cycle of the Vena del Gesso sediments (Gessoso-solfifera Fm., Messinian, Italy) was analyzed quantitatively for free hydrocarbons and organic sulphur compounds. Nickel boride was used as a desulphurizing agent to recover sulphur-bound lipids from the polar and asphaltene fractions. Carbon isotopic compositions (delta vs PDB) of free hydrocarbons and of S-bound hydrocarbons were also measured. Relationships between these carbon skeletons, precursor biolipids, and the organisms producing them could then be examined. Concentrations of S-bound lipids and free hydrocarbons and their delta values were plotted vs depth in the marl bed and the profiles were interpreted in terms of variations in source organisms, 13 C contents of the carbon source, and environmentally induced changes in isotopic fractionation. The overall range of delta values measured was 24.7%, from -11.6% for a component derived from green sulphur bacteria (Chlorobiaceae) to -36.3% for a lipid derived from purple sulphur bacteria (Chromatiaceae). Deconvolution of mixtures of components deriving from multiple sources (green and purple sulphur bacteria, coccolithophorids, microalgae and higher plants) was sometimes possible because both quantitative and isotopic data were available and because either the free or S-bound pool sometimes appeared to contain material from a single source. Several free n-alkanes and S-bound lipids appeared to be specific products of upper-water-column primary producers (i.e. algae and cyanobacteria). Others derived from anaerobic photoautotrophs and from heterotrophic protozoa (ciliates), which apparently fed partly on Chlorobiaceae. Four groups of n-alkanes produced by algae or cyanobacteria were also recognized based on systematic variations of abundance and isotopic composition with depth. For hydrocarbons probably derived from microalgae, isotopic variations are well correlated with those of total organic carbon. A resistant aliphatic biomacromolecule produced by microalgae is, therefore, probably an important component of the kerogen. These variations reflect changes in the depositional environment and early diagenetic transformations. Changes in the concentrations of S-bound lipids induced by variations in conditions favourable for sulphurization were discriminated from those related to variations in primary producer assemblages. The water column of the lagoonal basin was stratified and photic zone anoxia occurred during the early and middle stages of marl deposition. During the last stage of the marl deposition the stratification collapsed due to a significant shallowing of the water column. Contributions from anaerobic photoautotrophs were apparently associated with variations in depth of the chemocline.     

Diagenesis of organic matter—A study using stable isotopes of individual carbohydrates

This paper presents data on the isotopic compositions of individual carbohydrates which have been isolated from both living organisms and from a depositional environment. Through recent developments in chromatography, isolation of monosaccharides quantity for isotopic analysis is possible. Carbohydrates isolated from marine and terrestrial plants and animals have carbon isotopic compositions which clearly indicate biosynthetic processes which are recognized to be associated with isotopic fractionations during the incorporation and metabolism of carbon. Stable nitrogen isotopic compositions of N-acetyl-d-glucosamine, isolated from a variety of chitins, indicate a common fractionation of nitrogen which may be associated with transamination. This fractionation is estimated to be about –9%₀ relative to the whole organism. Through the isotopic label, the source or history of an organic material may be traced through diagenesis. Further, production of non-indigenous carbohydrates, which may be associated with fungal or bacterial action, can be identified through depleted isotopic compositions. Xylose, for example, isolated from a peat, was approximately 8% more depleted in carbon than the whole peat or mannose isolated from the same peat. The isotopic distributions of carbohydrates isolated from living organisms are essential for the interpretation of those characterized in natural mixtures from an environment.     

生排烃过程中正构烷烃单体碳同位素组成的变化特征及其研究意义

通过对生排烃模拟实验产物 (残留油和排出油 )中正构烷烃单体碳同位素组成的测定,揭示出生排烃过程中正构烷烃碳同位素组成的变化特征。研究表明,生烃初期,液态正构烷烃主要来自干酪根的初次裂解,它们的碳同位素组成不论是在排出油中还是在残留油中,随温度的变化都不明显,呈现较相似的分布特征;在生烃高峰期,早期形成的沥青质和非烃等组分的二次裂解以及高碳数正构烷烃可能存在的裂解,使得正构烷烃单体碳同位素组成明显富集13 C,尤其在高碳数部分呈现出较大的差异。另外,实验结果显示排烃作用对液态正烷烃单体碳同位素组成的影响不太显著。     

The influence of hydrocarbon expulsion on carbon isotopic compositions of individual n-alkanes in pyrolysates of selected terrestrial kerogens

Expulsion of petroleum from source rock is a complex part of the entire migration process. There exist fractional effects on chemical compositions in hydrocarbon expulsion. Does the carbon isotopic fractionation occur during expulsion and to what extent? Here the influence of hydrocarbon expulsion on carbon isotopic compositions of individual n-alkanes from pyrolysates of selected terrestrial kerogens from Tuha basin and Fushun, Liaoning Province of China has been experimentally studied. The pyrogeneration-expulsion experiments were carried out under semi-closed system. The carbon isotopic compositions of individual n-alkanes were measured by GC-IRMS. The main conclusions are as follows. First, there is carbon isotopic fractionation associated with hydrocarbon expulsion from Type III kerogens in Tuha Basin. There exist differences of carbon isotopic compositions between the unexpelled n-alkanes and expelled n-alkanes from Tuha desmocollinite and Tuha mudstone. Second, there is almost no carbon isotopic fractionation associated with hydrocarbon expulsion from Type II kerogens in Fushun and Liaohe Basin. Third, carbon isotopic fractionation in hydrocarbon expulsion should be considered in making oil-source correlation of Type III kerogens at least in the Tuha Basin. Further studies need to be carried out to determine whether this is true in other basins. Fourth, oil and source at different maturity levels cannot be correlated directly for Type III kerogens since the carbon isotopic compositions of expelled hydrocarbons at different temperatures are different. The expelled hydrocarbons are usually lighter (depleted in ¹³C) than the hydrocarbons remaining in the source rock at the same maturity.     

川东北飞仙关组储层固体沥青地球化学特征及其气源指示意义

运用有机岩石学、有机地球化学、催化加氢热解、GC—IRMS等方法和技术,深入研究了川东北飞仙关组储层固体沥青及可能烃源岩的地球化学特征。研究认为,飞仙关组储层固体沥青反射率高,双反射明显,为非均质结构储层焦沥青;在碳酸盐岩储层的各种孔隙中,呈脉状、球粒状、角片状或块状等他形充填,具有中间相结构和镶嵌状结构特征,反映其高温热变质成因;元素组成有S/C高、H/C低的特点,其固体碳同位素组成与长兴组烃源岩干酪根相似。储层固体沥青的可能烃源岩发育于还原—弱氧化咸水沉积环境,有机质来源于水生藻类;氯仿沥青“A”饱和烃甾萜类生物标志物对比表明,上二叠长兴组烃源岩是主要来源,飞仙关组、下志留统烃源岩亦有贡献;催化加氢产物饱和烃及其正构烷烃单体碳同位素组成显示,坡2井飞仙关组储层固体沥青与罐5井飞仙关组烃源岩具有明显的亲缘关系,这也可作为飞仙关组海槽相烃源岩对飞仙关组气藏有贡献的佐证。     

Carbon and nitrogen isotopic compositions of alkyl porphyrins from the Triassic Serpiano oil shale

The carbon and nitrogen isotopic compositions of seven of the most abundant alkylporphyrins from the Serpiano oil shale (marine, Triassic) were determined. For the C31 and C32 butanoporphyrins, values of delta 13CPDB and delta 15NAIR averaged -24.0% and -3.1%. In contrast, the C31 and C32 methylpropanoporphyrins, DPEP, and a C30 13-nor etioporphyrin had delta 13C and delta 15N values averaging -27.5 and -3.3%, respectively. Carbon and nitrogen isotopic values for kerogen averaged -30.8 and -0.9, whereas those for total extract averaged -31.6, and -4.0%. The butanoporphyrins apparently derive from a biological source different from that giving rise to the other porphyrins, their 13C enrichment not being related to carbon isotopic fractionation accompanying diagenetic reactions. The delta 15N values for all the porphyrins indicate that the depletion of 15N observed in the kerogen is of primary origin. Consistent with the very high abundance of hopanoids and methyl hopanoids in the aliphatic hydrocarbon fraction, it is suggested that cyanobacterial fixation of N2 may have been the main cause of 15N depletion.     

An isotopic biogeochemical study of Neoproterozoic and Early Cambrian sediments from the Centralian Superbasin, Australia

Organic matter from Neoproterozoic and Early Cambrian sediments of the Amadeus and Officer basins of the Centralian Superbasin, Australia, has been studied for biomarker distributions and the carbon isotopic compositions of kerogen and individual hydrocarbons. These sediments represent both shallow and deep water marine facies in the older sections and marine and saline lacustrine carbonate deposits in the Cambrian. Hydrocarbon biomarker patterns were found to be quite consistent with the known sedimentary environments and provide valuable insights into the biogeochemical changes which accompanied the transition from a microbially-dominated ocean to the early stages of metazoan radiation. In particular, carbon isotopic data for n-alkyl and isoprenoid lipids presented here, and in earlier studies, showed a reversal in carbon isotopic ordering between the Proterozoic and Phanerozoic. By comparison with the delta 13C of kerogen, n-alkyl lipids from deep-water Proterozoic sediments were enriched in 13C and appear to be derived mainly from heterotrophs whilst open marine Phanerozoic counterparts are 13C depleted and evidently derived mainly from autotrophs. Data from the samples studied here are consistent with a model invoking a change in the redox structure of the ocean, possibly aided by the innovation of faecal pellets.     

Stable carbon isotopic compositions of individual aromatic hydrocarbons as source and age indicators in oils from western Australian basins

The present study aims to establish the factors controlling the stable carbon isotopic compositions (δ¹³C) of individual aromatic hydrocarbons analysed by compound specific isotope analysis (CSIA) in crude oils from western Australian petroleum basins of varying age and facies type. This paper reports δ¹³C values of individual aromatic hydrocarbons, like alkylbenzenes, alkylnaphthalenes, alkylphenanthrenes and methylated biphenyls. The main aims are to confirm the origin (source) and age of these oils based on CSIA of selected aromatic compounds and to understand why the Sofer plot is ineffective in establishing the source of western Australian petroleum systems. The bulk δ¹³C of saturated and aromatic hydrocarbon fractions of crude oils have been previously used to differentiate sources, however, many Australian crude oils are not classified correctly using this method. The oils were classified as marine by the δ¹³C values of individual aromatic compounds and as terrigenous based on the bulk δ¹³C data (Sofer plot).The oils where the δ¹³C values of 1,6-DMN and 1,2,5-TMN isomers are most negative are indicative of a marine source, whereas oils with a less negative values for the 1,6-DMN and 1,2,5-TMN isomers are derived from marine source rocks that contain a significant terrigenous component. Similarly, oils with the least negative δ¹³C values for the 1-MP and 1,9-DMP isomers reflect varying inputs of terrigenous organic matter to the their marine source rocks. Plots of P/DBT and Pr/Ph concentration ratios versus δ¹³C values of DMP, 1,6-DMN, 1,2,5-TMN, 1-MP and 1,9-MP are constructed to establish the relative amount of terrigenous organic matter contributing to the source rock of a series of marine oils. The ratios of P/DBT and Pr/Ph plotted against the δ¹³C values of the aromatic isomers (such as 1,6-DMN, 1,2,5-TMN, 1-MP and 1,9-MP) provide a novel and convenient way to discriminate crude oils derived from different source rocks that contain varying amounts of marine and terrigenous organic matter.     

Stable carbon isotopic evidence for sources of particulate organic carbon found in sea foam

Particulate organic carbon found in sea foam and water samples from North Inlet, South Carolina, were examined for their δ¹³C isotopic composition. Sea foam particulate organic carbon (POC) δ¹³C values ranged from ?20.4 to ?24.6‰ (mean=?22.3‰) and water POC δ¹³C values ranged from ?21.0 to ?28.5‰ (mean= ?24.4‰). Temporal trends in sea foam and water POC indicate that δ¹³C values for both POC components are depleted in the colder months and enriched in the warmer months. Measurement of δ¹³C from potential sources for organic matter found in sea foam, combined with data on macroalgae productivity and phytoplankton biomass, indicates that macroalgae are the principal source of POC for sea foam in the colder months. In the warmer months, phytoplankton appear to be more important contributors. The observed water POC δ¹³C values were always depleted relative to foam POC δ¹³C values. This isotopic difference may result from chemical segregation during sea foam formation or may reflect DOC δ¹³C values from terrestrial origins.     

The influence of carbon source on abiotic organic synthesis and carbon isotope fractionation under hydrothermal conditions

A series of laboratory experiments were performed to investigate the relative contributions of CO and other single-carbon compounds to abiotic synthesis of organic compounds in hydrothermal environments. Experiments were conducted by heating aqueous solutions of CO, CO₂, HCOOH, or CH₄ at 250 °C under reducing conditions, and observing production of CH₄ and other hydrocarbons. Native Fe was included in the experiments as a source of H₂ through reaction with water and as a potential catalyst. Experiments with CO or HCOOH as the carbon source resulted in rapid generation of CH₄ and other hydrocarbons that closely resembled typical products of Fischer-Tropsch organic synthesis. In contrast, experiments using CO₂ or CH₄ as the carbon source yielded no detectable hydrocarbon products. Carbon isotope measurements of reaction products from the CO experiments indicate that the CH₄ and other hydrocarbons were substantially depleted in ¹³C, with CH₄ δ¹³C values 30 to 34‰ lighter than the initial CO. Most of the fractionation apparently occurs during attachment of CO to the catalyst surface and subsequent reduction to surface-bound methylene. The initial step in polymerization of these methylene units to form hydrocarbons involves a small, positive fractionation, so that ethane and ethene are slightly enriched in ¹³C relative to CH₄. However, subsequent addition of carbon molecules to the growing hydrocarbon chain proceeds with no net observable fractionation, so that the isotopic compositions of the C₃₊ light hydrocarbons are controlled by isotopic mass balance. This result is consistent with a previously proposed model for carbon isotopic patterns of light hydrocarbons in natural samples. The abundance and isotopic composition of light hydrocarbons produced with HCOOH as the carbon source were similar to those generated with CO, but the isotopic compositions of non-volatile hydrocarbons diverged, suggesting that the higher hydrocarbons were formed by different mechanisms in the CO and HCOOH experiments. The experiments indicate that CO, and possibly HCOOH, may be critical intermediates in the abiotic formation of organic compounds in geologic environments, and suggest that the low levels of these compounds present in most hydrothermal systems could represent a bottleneck restricting the extent of abiotic organic synthesis in some circumstances.     

Isotopic and molecular composition of coal-bed gas in the Amasra region (Zonguldak basin—western Black Sea)

Previous studies on the coal-bed methane potential of the Zonguldak basin have indicated that the gases are thermogenic and sourced by the coal-bearing Carboniferous units. In this earlier work, the origin of coal-bed gas was only defined according to the molecular composition of gases and to organic geochemical properties of the respective source rocks, since data on isotopic composition of gases were not available. Furthermore, in the western Black Sea region there also exist other source rocks, which may have contributed to the coal-bed gas accumulations. The aim of this study is to determine the origin of coal-bed gas and to try a gas-source rock correlation. For this purpose, the molecular and isotopic compositions of 13 headspace gases from coals and adjacent sediments of two wells in the Amasra region have been analyzed. Total organic carbon (TOC) measurements and Rock-Eval pyrolysis were performed in order to characterize the respective source rocks. Coals and sediments are bearing humic type organic matter, which have hydrogen indices (HI) of up to 300 mgHC/gTOC, indicating a certain content of liptinitic material. The stable carbon isotope ratios (δ¹³C) of the kerogen vary from −23.1 to −27.7‰. Air-free calculated gases contain hydrocarbons up to C₅, carbon dioxide (<1%) and a considerable amount of nitrogen (up to 38%). The gaseous hydrocarbons are dominated by methane (>98%). The stable carbon isotope ratios of methane, ethane and propane are defined as δ¹³C₁: −51.1 to −48.3‰, δ¹³C₂: −37.9 to −25.3‰, δ¹³C₃: −26.0 to −19.2 ‰, respectively. The δD₁ values of methane range from −190 to −178‰. According to its isotopic composition, methane is a mixture, partly generated bacterially, partly thermogenic. Molecular and isotopic composition of the gases and organic geochemical properties of possible source rocks indicate that the thermogenic gas generation took place in coals and organic rich shales of the Westphalian-A Kozlu formation. The bacterial input can be related to a primary bacterial methane generation during Carboniferous and/or to a recent secondary bacterial methane generation. However, some peculiarities of respective isotope values of headspace gases can also be related to the desorption process, which took place by sampling.     

Compound-specific isotopic analyses: a novel tool for reconstruction of ancient biogeochemical processes

Patterns of isotopic fractionation in biogeochemical processes are reviewed and it is suggested that isotopic fractionations will be small when substrates are large. If so, isotopic compositions of biomarkers will reflect those of their biosynthetic precursors. This prediction is tested by consideration of results of analyses of geoporphyrins and geolipids from the Greenhorn Formation (Cretaceous, Western Interior Seaway of North America) and the Messel Shale (Eocene, lacustrine, southern Germany). It is shown (i) that isotopic compositions of porphyrins that are related to a common source, but which have been altered structurally, cluster tightly and (ii) that isotopic differences between geolipids and porphyrins related to a common source are equal to those observed in modern biosynthetic products. Both of these observations are consistent with preservation of biologically controlled isotopic compositions during diagenesis. Isotopic compositions of individual compounds can thus be interpreted in terms of biogeochemical processes in ancient depositional environments. In the Cretaceous samples, isotopic compositions of n-alkanes are covariant with those of total organic carbon, while delta values for pristane and phytane are covariant with those of porphyrins. In this unit representing an open marine environment, the preserved acyclic polyisoprenoids apparently derive mainly from primary material, while the extractable, n-alkanes derive mainly from lower levels of the food chain. In the Messel Shale, isotopic compositions of individual biomarkers range from -20.9 to -73.4% vs PDB. Isotopic compositions of specific compounds can be interpreted in terms of origin from methylotrophic, chemautotrophic, and chemolithotrophic microorganisms as well as from primary producers that lived in the water column and sediments of this ancient lake.     

Late Pliocene to Early Pleistocene productivity in the Arabian Sea

The stable isotopic compositions of organic C and N and the organic carbon (OC) content of the Oman Margin (ODP Site 724) sediments, ranging from Pliocene to Early Pleistocene in age, are used to infer palaeoproductivity in the area. At the boundary between the Pliocene and the Pleistocene, the amount of organic matter preserved is low compared to other periods before and after this transition period. This low OC content is associated with depleted N and C isotope values. This may indicate low primary productivity as a result of a diminished supply of nutrients caused by weak coastal upwelling. Higher amounts of OC, in conjunction with enrichment in the isotopic compositions of both organic C and N before and after the Pliocene-Pleistocene transition period, are likely to be a consequence of an increase in primary productivity, which resulted from a higher nutrient supply. However, a higher amount of OC may have resulted from enhanced preservation. The enhanced preservation may have resulted from an intrusion of highly saline waters from the Res Sea and Persian Gulf and/or restricted circulation.     

Isotopic order, biogeochemical processes, and earth history: Goldschmidt lecture, Davos, Switzerland, August 2002

The impetus to interpret carbon isotopic signals comes from an understanding of isotopic fractionations imposed by living organisms. That understanding rests in turn on studies of enzymatic isotope effects, on fruitful concepts of isotopic order, and on studies of the distribution of ¹³C both between and within biosynthetic products. In sum, these studies have shown that the isotopic compositions of biological products are governed by reaction kinetics and by pathways of carbon flow.Isotopic compositions of individual compounds can indicate specific processes or environments. Examples include biomarkers which record the isotopic compositions of primary products in aquatic communities, which indicate that certain bacteria have used methane as a carbon source, and which show that some portions of marine photic zones have been anaerobic. In such studies, the combination of structural and isotopic lines of evidence reveals relationships between compounds and leads to process-related thinking. These are large steps. Reconstruction of the sources and histories of molecular fossils redeems much of the early promise of organic geochemistry by resolving and clarifying paleoenviron-mental signals. In turn, contemplation of this new information is driving geochemists to study microbial ecology and evolution, oceanography, and sedimentology.     

天然气运移的气体同位素地球化学示踪

本文通过鄂尔多斯等含油气盆地内岩石酸解烃、罐顶气和同源多产层天然气碳同位素组成的变化，从实例剖析出发，探讨了天然气运移时气体同位素组成的变化及其对天然气运移的示踪。天然气在通过沉积地层中孔隙系统和微裂隙运移时，天然气中的甲烷碳同位素会发生一定的分馏，而乙烷以上重烃碳同位素几乎不发生分馏；在天然气层所在深度，罐顶气甲烷碳同位素组成与天然气一致，在天然气层附近，罐顶气甲烷碳同位素则明显偏离了热演化趋势线；烃源岩酸解烃与其同源的天然气重烃碳同位素组成具有较好的一致性和可比性。由此，可利用气体组分碳同位素的上述变化特征，追索天然气的运移作用。     

塔北隆起深层海相油藏中原油及族组分碳同位素组成的纵向分布特征及其地质意义

利用MAT252同位素质谱仪分析了塔里木盆地塔北隆起深层海相油藏中原油及族组分的碳同位素组成。研究表明该区深层海相油藏中原油的全油碳同位素组成主要受生源控制,受热力作用影响较小;而在继承生源的碳同位素组成的基础上,热力作用将对原油族组分的碳同位素组成及其逆转和分馏产生重要影响。总的趋势是随着油藏埋藏深度的增大和热力作用的加强,饱和烃组分的碳同位素组成逐渐变重,而沥青质组分的碳同位素组成不断变轻,族组分碳同位素逆转程度和分馏程度有所加强,并出现饱和烃﹥芳烃﹥非烃﹥沥青质的整体逆转现象。塔北隆起深层海相原油族组分的碳同位素组成的纵向变化特征,可以反映出热力作用对原油稳定性的影响。     

辽河盆地东部凹陷原油的碳同位素组成特征

通过对辽河盆地东部凹陷原油的饱和烃、芳烃的碳同位素组成特征、原油同位素类型和单体烃同位素特征进行研究 ,发现整个东部凹陷原油及其组分的碳同位素值偏重 ,指示其源岩有机质中藻类和低等水生生物的贡献较少 ;饱和烃—芳烃的碳同位素值关系揭示东部凹陷大部分原油样品与沙河街组沙三段烃源岩的特征相近 ,而南部和北部地区少数样品表现出负的碳同位素异常 ,与该区中生界源岩样品的接近 ,推测原油中可能混入了中生界来源的油气。南部地区各样品的碳同位素类型曲线和单体烃的碳同位素曲线均相似 ,揭示了两者具相同的油气来源。北部地区各原油样品的单体烃的碳同位素类型曲线间具有相似的分布特征 ,但茨榆坨地区的原油样品的碳同位素值比牛居地区的系统偏轻 ,可能是成熟度相对较低引起的 ,表明茨榆坨地区原油具有早期成藏的特征。原油的碳同位素组成特征是研究油气来源和成藏特征分析的一种重要手段。     

石油碳、氢同位素组成的研究

通过对我国18个含油气区、385个石油样品进行碳、氢同位素和部分馏份碳同位素分析,将所获数据对两种不同性质的石油如正常原油和轻质（凝析）油分别研究其碳、氢同位素地球化学特征,提出轻质（凝析）油的碳同位素值（δ13C为-32.5‰～ -24.3‰）比正常原油δ13C为-34.4‰～ -24.6 ‰．6‰）相对偏高;石油馏份中芳烃碳同位素组成的变化受母质继承效应更为明显。因此,用芳烃碳同位值可以判识不同母质来源的石油。与海相有关的轻质（凝析）油的氢同位素值大于-15.0‰,而非海相轻质（凝析）油的δD值( δD为-21.0‰～-1.05‰）基本覆盖了海相轻质油的分布范围,从淡水－微咸水－半咸水和海水环境其氢同位素有明显变重趋势,表明氢同位素主要与沉积环境密切相关。     

准噶尔盆地液态烃分子碳同位素组成特征及其应用

文章报导了准噶尔盆地不同地区、不同产层原油和烃源岩样品中正构烷烃和类异成二烯烃碳同位素组成特征。在ｎＣ₁₁－ｎＣ₃₄之间，保罗系湖沼相成因的原油，正构烷烃δ13Ｃ值大部分分布在－２７．０‰──３２．４‰之间，比海相地层的原油重，具有富集13Ｃ的特征。ⅡＡ型烃源岩产出原油的单烃δ13Ｃ值比ⅡＢ型的轻，相对富集12Ｃ。碳源组成相同的原油在正构烷烃和类异成二烯烃碳同位素组成上，有相似的分布范围和较为一致的总体变化趋势，因此单烃碳同位素组成可用于油－油对比和油－源对比中。     

烷基萘分子稳定碳同位素组成演变的热模拟实验及其意义

萘及烷基萘是原油和沉积有机质的重要组成。目前对于烷基萘单体稳定碳同位素组成随有机质成熟作用加深的演变特征鲜见报道。本研究选取松辽盆地杜601井嫩一段低熟黑色泥岩进行热压模拟生烃实验,采用两步柱色谱层析技术分离烷基萘化合物使其达到稳定碳同位素的在线准确测定,从而厘定有机质不同成熟阶段烷基萘单体稳定碳同位素组成分布面貌。实验结果显示,不同模拟实验温度点排出的一甲基萘(MNs)和二甲基萘(DMNs)各异构体具有相对一致的稳定碳同位素值,分别介于–29.5‰~–29.3‰和–30.9‰~–30.5‰之间,这可能与生烃过程中干酪根的非均一性裂解有关;三甲基萘(TMNs)各异构体之间稳定碳同位素值差异较大,介于–36.8‰~–31.1‰之间,这可能与生源效应有关;其中,1,2,5-TMN稳定碳同位素组成偏轻,介于–36.8‰~–35.6‰之间,可能是细菌来源的藿类化合物降解及其芳构化的产物。实验结果表明,随着有机质热演化作用的加深,烷基萘单体稳定碳同位素组成变化介于0.8‰~1.4‰之间,基本在仪器测试误差范围之内,反映成熟作用所导致的烷基萘单体稳定碳同位素动力学分馏较小。因此,烷基萘单体稳定碳同位素组成可以成为油-源和油-油对比的潜在指标。