Dinosterol δD values in stratified tropical lakes (Cameroon) are affected by eutrophication

In freshwater settings, dinosterol (4α,23,24-trimethyl-5α-cholest-22E-en-3β-ol) is produced primarily by dinoflagellates, which encompass various species including autotrophs, mixotrophs and heterotrophs. Due to its source specificity and occurrence in lake and marine sediments, its presence and hydrogen isotopic composition (δD) should be valuable proxies for paleohydrological reconstruction. However, because the purity required for hydrogen isotope measurements is difficult to achieve using standard wet chemical purification methods, their potential as a paleohydrological proxy is rarely exploited. In this study, we tested δD values of dinosterol in both particulate organic matter (POM) and sediments of stratified tropical freshwater lakes (from Cameroon) as a paleohydrological proxy, the lakes being characterized by variable degrees of eutrophication. In POM and sediment samples, the δD values of dinosterol correlated with lake water δD values, confirming a first order influence of source water δD values. However, we observed that sedimentary dinosterol was D enriched from ca. 19 to 54‰ compared with POM dinosterol. The enrichment correlated with lake water column conditions, mainly the redox potential at the oxic–anoxic interface (E_h OAI). The observations suggest that paleohydrologic reconstruction from δD values of dinosterol in the sediments of stratified tropical lakes ought to be sensitive to the depositional environment, in addition to lake water δD values, with more positive dinosterol δD values potentially reflecting increasing lake eutrophication. Furthermore, in lake sediments, the concentration of partially reduced vs. non-reduced C₃₄ botryococcenes, stanols vs. stenols, and bacterial (diploptene, diplopterol and ββ-bishomohopanol) vs. planktonic/terrestrial lipids (cholesterol, campesterol and dinosterol) correlated with E_h OAI. We suggest using such molecular proxies for lake redox conditions in combination with dinosterol δD values to evaluate the effect of lake trophic status on sedimentary dinosterol δD values, as a basis for accurately reconstructing tropical lake water δD values.     

Identification and occurrence of novel C36–C54 3,4-dialkylthiophenes with an unusual carbon skeleton in immature sediments

A series of novel long-chain 3,4-dialkylthiophenes (C₃₆–C₅₄) was identified in a number of sediments ranging from Pleistocene to Cretaceous. The identifications were based on mass spectral characterisation, desulphurisation and mass spectral data of synthesised model compounds. These organic sulphur compounds are probably formed by sulphur incorporation into mid-chain dimethylalkadienes with two methylenic double bonds. These putative precursor lipids are unprecedented and may be considered rather unusual. The distribution of 3,4-dialkylthiophenes in sediments varies considerably with the depositional palaeoenvironment, indicating that these compounds have a potential as molecular markers reflecting changes in palaeoenvironment.     

柴达木盆地三湖地区第四系沉积相与生物气成藏

柴达木盆地三湖地区第四系蕴藏着巨大的生物气资源,目前已探明加控制天然气储量接近3×1011m3。更新世时期,柴达木盆地的湖相沉积主要分布在三湖(吉乃尔湖、涩聂湖和达布逊湖)地区,自山前至盆地中心依次发育了冲积扇、河流三角洲和湖相沉积,其中湖相沉积分布最为广泛。早更新世湖相沉积开始形成,中更新世湖相沉积扩张并且达到鼎盛,晚更新世湖相沉积开始萎缩并形成盐湖沉积。中、早更新世冰川的出现和青藏高原的崛起使柴达木盆地的古气候变得干旱寒冷,沉积水体温度较低,盐度较高。本区第四纪独特的沉积环境是形成大型生物气藏最重要的地质条件。高盐度的水体环境减缓了有机质的降解速度,长期的低温条件抑制了甲烷菌的活动,避免了沉积有机质在沉积浅埋阶段的过量消耗,推迟了生物产气的高峰期。而三湖地区巨厚的第四系暗色泥岩和频繁发育的砂岩提供了充足的气源条件和构成了良好的生储盖组合。     

The radiocarbon age of organic carbon in marine surface sediments

Long-term carbon cycling and climate change are strongly dependent on organic carbon (OC) burial in marine sediments. Radiocarbon (¹⁴C) has been widely used to constrain the sources, sinks, and processing of sedimentary OC. To elucidate the dominant controls on the radiocarbon content of total organic carbon (¹⁴C_TOC) accumulating in surface sediments we construct a box model that predicts ¹⁴C_TOC in the sediment mixed layer (measured as fraction modern, Fm). Our model defines three distinct OC pools (“degradable,” “semi-labile,” and “refractory”) and assumes that ¹⁴C_TOC flux to sediments is exclusively derived from surface ocean primary productivity, and hence follows a “generic” surface ocean dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) bomb curve. Model predictions are compared to a set of 75 surface sediment samples, which span a wide geographic range and reflect diverse water column and depositional conditions, and for which sedimentation rate and mixed-layer depth are well characterized. Our model overestimates the Fm value for a majority (65%) of these sites, especially at shallow water depths and for sites characterized by depleted δ¹³C_TOC values. The model is most sensitive to sedimentation rate and mixed-layer depth. Therefore, slight changes to these parameters can lead to a match between modeled and measured Fm values at many sites. Yet, in some cases, we find that measured Fm values cannot be simulated without large and unrealistic changes to sedimentation rate and mixed-layer depth. These results point to sources of pre-aged OC to surface sediments and implicate soil-derived terrestrial OC, reworked marine OC, and/or anthropogenic carbon as important components of the organic matter present in surface sediments. This approach provides a valuable framework within which to explore controls on sedimentary organic matter composition and carbon burial over a range of spatial and temporal scales.     

Distribution of n-alkanes in lacustrine sediments from subtropical lake in Brazil

The geochemical composition of lake bed sediments of a tropical reservoir in Brazil have been investigated. The C, N, P composition showed almost no variation between the different sampling points. All samples contained inorganic phosphorus (IP) ranging from 52 to 70%. The Redfield ratios show that the lake is without significant anthropogenic inputs. Most of the organic matter is composed by higher plants decomposition revealed in the total organic carbon (TOC):nitrogen (N) ratio ranging from 15.4 to 57.2. Also, TOC:organic phosphorus (OP) ranged from 265.3 to 933.6, suggesting that most of the organic matter has terrestrial origin from wood plants. The ratios suggest that most organic matter is influenced by the terrestrial characteristics of the watershed. Furthermore, the relative abundance of n-alkane homologues in the sediments was investigated. All samples have been analyzed for the n-alkanes C₈ to C₄₀. The sediments were dominated by n-alkanes C₂₅–C₃₈. It is concluded that n-alkane in sediments mainly come from terrestrial plants, however there is a contribution of submerged aquatic plants, especially in those sites in deeper areas of the lake. On the basis of P_aq index the n-alkanes in sediments comes from terrestrial plants, however there is a contribution from emerged/floating plants.The investigated lake seems to be considered as meso to eutrophic. Because of the relatively high primary productivity in the lakes, there is a substantial organic-matter flux to the sediments, which rapidly becomes anoxic. According to the pristine/phytane ratio the sediments represent an anoxic environment with values found between 0.38 and 1.72.     

Stable Carbon Isotopic Compositions of Methylated-MTTC in Crude Oils from Saline Lacustrine Depositional Environment: Source Implications

Significantly high abundant methyl-MethylTrimethylTridecylChromans (MTTCs) have been detected in aromatic hydrocarbon fractions in crude oils from the Jizhong Depression and Jianghan Basin. The distribution of these compounds is dominated by methyl-MTTC and dimethyl-MTTC series, which indicate diagenetic products of a hypersaline depositional environment in the early stage and show a low degree of methylation. The occurrence of significantly high abundant methyl-MTTC depends mainly on good preservation conditions with a strongly reductive, hypersaline and water-columned depositional environment and subsequent non-intensive diagenetic transformations. The stable carbon isotopic compositions of the methyl-MTTCs and dimethyl-MTTCs in two samples are far different from the stable carbon isotopic composition of C30 hopane of apparent bacteria biogenesis (up to 4.11‰ and 5.75‰, respectively). This obviously demonstrates that the methyl-MTTC and dimethyl-MTTCs cannot be of bacteria origin, which is different from the previous point of view about non-photosynthetic bacteria products or possible bacteria-reworked products. On the contrary, the stable carbon isotopic compositions of methyl-MTTC and dimethyl-MTTCs in the two samples were similar to that of the same carbon-numbered n-alkanes (nC27-nC28-nC29), which indicates that they share the same source origin. Especially in the crude oil from the Zhao61 well, stable carbon isotopic compositions are also similar to that of the same carbon-numbered steranes with ααα-20R isomer (mostly less than 0.4‰). In consideration of the results of previous studies on saline lake ecological sedimentation, the authors hold that the methyl-MTTC and dimethyl-MTTCs in the saline lake sediments should be of algal biogenesis origin.     

Organic Carbon Isotope Geochemistry of the Neoproterozoic Doushantuo Formation, South China

The Neoproterozoic Doushantuo Formation on the Yangtze Platform, South China, documents a sedimentary succession with different sedimentary facies from carbonate platform to slope and to deep sea basin, and hosts one of the world-class phosphorite deposits. In these strata, exquisitely preserved fossils have been discovered： the Weng＇an biota. This study presents carbon isotope geochemistry which is associated paired carbonate and organic matter from the Weng＇an section of a carbonate platform （shelf of the Yangtze Platform, Guizhou Province） from the Songtao section and Nanming section of a transition belt （slope of the Yangtze Platform, Guizhou Province） and from the Yanwutan section （basin area of the Yangtze Platform, Hunan Province）. Environmental variations and bio-events on the Yangtze Platform during the Late Neoproterozoic and their causal relationship are discussed. Negative carbon isotope values for carbonate and organic carbon （mean δ^13Corg = -35.0‰） from the uppermost Nantuo Formation are followed by an overall increase in δ^13C up-section. Carbon isotope values vary between -9.9‰ and 3.6‰ for carbonate and between -35.6‰ and -21.5‰ for organic carbon, respectively. Heavier δ^13Ccarb values suggest an increase in organic carbon burial, possibly related to increasing productivity （such as the Weng＇an biota）. The δ^13C values of the sediments from the Doushantuo Formation decreased from the platform via the slope to basin, reflecting a reduced environment with minor dissolved inorganic carbon possibly due to a lower primary productivity. It is deduced that the classical upwelling process, the stratification structure and the hydrothermal eruption are principally important mechanisms to interpret the carbon isotopic compositions of the sediments from the Doushantuo Formation.     

Composition and origin of organic matter in surface sediments of Lake Sarbsko: A highly eutrophic and shallow coastal lake (northern Poland)

We present an organic geochemical study of surface sediments of Lake Sarbsko, a shallow coastal lake on the middle Polish Baltic coast. The aim was to provide evidence concerning the origin of the organic matter (OM) and its compositional diversity in surface deposits of this very productive, highly dynamic water body. The content and composition of the OM in the bottom sediments were investigated at 11 sampling stations throughout the lake basin. OM sources were assigned on the basis of bulk indicators [total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), δ¹³C_TOC and δ¹⁵N and extractable OM yield], biomarker composition of extractable OM and compound-specific C isotope signatures. The source characterization of autochthonous compounds was verified via phytoplankton analysis. The distribution of gaseous hydrocarbons in the sediments, as well as temporal changes in lake water pH, the concentration of DIC (dissolved inorganic carbon) and δ¹³C_DIC were used to trace OM decomposition.The sedimentary OM is composed mainly of well preserved phytoplankton compounds and shows minor spatial variability in composition. However, the presence of CH₄ and CO₂ in the bottom deposits provides evidence for microbial degradation of sedimentary OM. The transformation of organic compounds in surface, bottom and pore waters via oxidative processes influences carbonate equilibrium in the lake and seasonally favours precipitation or dissolution of CaCO₃.The data enhance our understanding of the relationships between the composition of sedimentary OM and environmental conditions within coastal ecosystems and shed light on the reliability of OM proxies for environmental reconstruction of coastal lakes.     

Sterol Distribution in Sediments from Chaiwobu Lake and Caohai Basin and Its Geochemical Significance

In order to understand the distribution characteristics of biomarkers in source rocks,which may be related to organic input,Quaternary sediments from the Caohai Basin and the Chaiwobu Lake were analyzed for sterols,As a result,various sterols,have been found in the sediments.The composition of sterols in the sediments revealed that cholesterols and cholestadienols are more abundant than their C29 counterparts in the Chaiwobu Lake sediments and that C29 sterols are more abundant in the peats from the Caohai Basin,It is also found that stanol/sterol ratios in clays are higher than in peats.Studies show that organic input to the Chaiwobu Lake is mainly plankton and zooplankton and to the Caohai Basin is mainly terrestrial high plant.The authors have proposed that the relative abundance of C27 or C29 sterane in source rocks may reflect input characteristics to some extent and the stanol/sterol ratios may reflect the redox conditions of the depositional environments.     

Genesis of organic and carbonate carbon in sediments of the North and Middle Caspian basins inferred from the isotope data

Isotopic compositions of organic (δ¹³C-C_org) and carbonate (δ¹³C-C_carb) carbon were analyzed in the particulate matter (hereafter, particulates) and sediments from the North and Middle Caspian basins. Isotopic composition of C_org was used for assessing proportions of the allochthonous and autochthonous organic matter in the particulates. Difference between the δ¹³C-C_org values in surface sediments and particulates is explained by the aerobic and anaerobic diagenetic transformations. Isotopic composition of C_org in sediments may be used as a tool for reconstructing the Quaternary transgressive-regressive history of the Caspian Sea.     

Stratigraphic Division and Correlation of the Nihewan Beds by Multivariate Statistical Analysis

Described in paper is the principle of optimal partitioning method for stratigraphic division and correlation.The Nihewan Beds are taken for example to show how to apply this approach in stratigraphic division and correlation.The semiquantitative spectral analysis data on aggregate trace elements in 324 samples taken from the nine sections in the Nihewan Basin are treated with multivariate statistical method for stratigraphic division and correlation.First ,the data from all the sections are respectively calculated by the optimal partitioning method to establish the stratigraphic boundaries.The optimal partitioning method has proved itself to be applicable to stratigraphic division and correlation. In our practice the Nihewan Beds are divided into five zones (I-V).Zone I includes subzones Ia and Ib,Zones Ia,Ib,II and III are considered to be corresponding to the Pliocene(N2),the early Early Pleistocene,the late Early Pleistocene,and the Middle Pleistocene,respectively .Zones IV and V are probably Late Pleistocene in age.This indicated that sediments deposited con-temporaneous in the sections of the same basin are similar in geochemical characteristics,although dif-ferent in geographical location.However,the sediments also show some variations ,with a transitional relationship from one section to another .For example ,in Zone II,the sediments of the Xiaodukou section show not only the characteristics of the Nangou-Hongya and Hutouliang sections,but also those of the Xiashagou,Shixiaxi,Shixiadong and Wulitai sections.It can be seen from the above that the zones can be characteristically correlated with one another.In addition the feasibility of the optimal partitioning method is also described in the present paper.     

Modern carbon burial in Lake Qinghai,China

The quantification of carbon burial in lake sediments, and carbon fluxes derived from different origins are crucial to understand modern lacustrine carbon budgets, and to assess the role of lakes in the global carbon cycle. In this study, we estimated carbon burial in the sediment of Lake Qinghai, the largest inland lake in China, and the carbon fluxes derived from different origins. We find that: (1) The organic carbon burial rate in lake sediment is approximately 7.23 g m⁻² a⁻¹, which is comparable to rates documented in many large lakes worldwide. We determined that the flux of riverine particulate organic carbon (POC) is approximately 10 times higher than that of dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Organic matter in lake sediments is primarily derived from POC in lake water, of which approximately 80% is of terrestrial origin. (2) The inorganic carbon burial rate in lake sediment is slightly higher than that of organic carbon. The flux of riverine dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) is approximately 20 times that of DOC, and more than 70% of the riverine DIC is drawn directly and/or indirectly from atmospheric CO₂. (3) Both DIC and DOC are concentrated in lake water, suggesting that the lake serves as a sink for both organic and inorganic carbon over long term timescales. (4) Our analysis suggests that the carbon burial rates in Lake Qinghai would be much higher in warmer climatic periods than in cold ones, implying a growing role in the global carbon cycle under a continued global warming scenario.     

Late Quaternary vegetation changes around Lake Rutundu,Mount Kenya,East Africa: evidence from grass cuticles,pollen and stable carbon isotopes

Woody, subalpine shrubs and grasses currently surround Lake Rutundu, Mount Kenya. Multiple proxies, including carbon isotopes, pollen and grass cuticles, from a 755‐cm‐long core were used to reconstruct the vegetation over the past 38 300 calendar years. Stable carbon‐isotope ratios of total organic carbon and terrestrial biomarkers from the lake sediments imply that the proportion of terrestrial plants using the C₄ photosynthetic pathway was greater during the Late Pleistocene than in the Holocene. Pollen data show that grasses were a major constituent of the vegetation throughout the Late Pleistocene and Holocene. The proportion of grass pollen relative to the pollen from other plants was greatest at the last glacial maximum (LGM). Grass cuticles confirm evidence that C₄ grass taxa were present at the LGM and that the majority followed the cold‐tolerant NADP‐MEC₄ subpathway. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Characterization and sources of extractable organic matter from sediment cores of an urban lake (Tasik Perdana), Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia

The extractable organic matter of sediment samples from six sampling sites in Lake Perdana, Kuala Lumpur, was analyzed to characterize the source inputs. The analysis of aliphatic homologous series indicated that terrestrial higher plant waxes can be assigned as the major sources of the identified aliphatic components in the lake sediments. The presence of an unresolved complex mixture of branched and cyclic compounds and a series of hopanes ranging from C₂₇ to C₃₅ reflected the contamination by petroleum residues from urban vehicular emissions brought in by runoff and fallout. The steroids present included stenols and stanols and showed an input of organic matter from higher plants. The detected pentacyclic triterpenoids comprised oleanane, ursane, lupane and friedelane skeletons including unsaturated oxygenated, mono-, di- and triaromatic counterparts. They are recognized as biomarkers for angiosperms. The presence of des-A-triterpenoids and their aromatized derivatives as the major diagenetic products of triterpenoids reflected the degradation of natural organic matter in the sediments occurring under mainly anoxic conditions. In addition, the presence of tetrahymanol and ββ-bishomohopan-32-ol indicated a minor algal/plankton and bacterial input to the sediments.     

Geochemistry of meteoric calcite cements in some Pleistocene limestones

In this study, the stable isotope and trace element geochemistries of meteoric cements in Pleistocene limestones from Enewetak Atoll (western Pacific Ocean), Cat Island (Bahamas), and Yucatan were characterized to help interpret similar cements in ancient rocks. Meteoric calcite cements have a narrow range of δ¹⁸O values and a broad range of δ¹³C values in each geographical province. These Pleistocene cements were precipitated from water with stable oxygen isotopic compositions similar to modern rainwater in each location. Enewetak calcite cements have a mean δ¹⁸O composition of ?6.5%₀ (PDB) and δ¹³C values ranging from ?9.6 to +0.4%0 (PDB). Sparry calcite cements from Cat Island have a mean δ¹⁸O composition of ?4.1%₀ and δ¹³C values ranging from ?6.3 to + 1.1%₀. Sparry cements from Yucatan have a mean δ¹⁸O composition of ?5.7%₀ and δ¹³C values of ?8.0 to ?2.7%₀. The mean δ¹⁸O values of these Pleistocene meteoric calcite cements vary by 2.4%₀ due to climatic variations not related directly to latitude. The δ¹³C compositions of meteoric cements are distinctly lower than those of the depositional sediments. Variations in δ¹³C are not simply a function of distance below an exposure surface. Meteoric phreatic cements often have δ¹³C compositions of less than —4.0%₀, which suggests that soil-derived CO₂ and organic material were washed into the water table penecontemporaneous with precipitation of phreatic cements. Concentrations of strontium and magnesium are quite variable within and between the three geographical provinces. Mean strontium concentrations for sparry calcite cements are, for Enewetak Atoll, 620 ppm (σ= 510 ppm); for Cat Island, 1200 ppm (σ= 980 ppm); and for Yucatan, 700 ppm (σ= 390 ppm). Equant cements, intraskeletal cements, and Bahamian cements have higher mean strontium concentrations than other cements. Equant and intraskeletal cements probably precipitated in more closed or stagnant aqueous environments. Bahamian depositional sediments had higher strontium concentrations which probably caused high strontium concentrations in their cements. Magnesium concentrations in Pleistocene meteoric cements are similar in samples from Enewetak Atoll (mean =1.00 mol% MgCO₃; σ= 0.60 mol% MgCO₃) and Cat Island (mean = 0.84 mol% MgCO₃; σ= 0.52mol% MgCO₃) but Yucatan samples have higher magnesium concentrations (mean = 2.20 mol% MgCO₃: σ= 0.84mol% MgCO₃). Higher magnesium concentrations in some Yucatan cements probably reflect precipitation in environments where sea water mixed with fresh water.     

Diversities in biomarker compositions of Carboniferous–Permian humic coals in the Ordos Basin,China

The molecular composition of Carboniferous–Permian coals in the maturity range from 0.66 to 1.63% vitrinite reflectance has been analysed using organic geochemistry to investigate the factors influencing the biomarker compositions of humic coals. The Carboniferous–Permian coal has a variable organofacies and is mainly humic-prone. There is a significant difference in the distribution of saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons in these coals, which can be divided into three types. The Group A coals have biomarker compositions typical of humic coal, characterised by high Pr/Ph ratios, a lower abundance of tricyclic terpanes with a decreasing distribution from C₁₉ tricyclic terpane to C₂₄ tricyclic terpane and a high number of terrigenous-related biomarkers, such as C₂₄ tetracyclic terpane and C₂₉ steranes. The biomarker composition of Group B coals, which were deposited in a suboxic environment, have a higher abundance of rearranged hopanes than observed in Group A coals. In contrast, in Group C coals, the Pr/Ph ratio is less than 1.0, and the sterane and terpane distributions are very different from those in groups A and B. Group C coals generally have abnormally abundant tricyclic terpanes with a normal distribution maximising at the C₂₃ peak; C₂₇ steranes predominates in the m/z 217 mass fragmentograms. The relationships between biomarker compositions, thermal maturity, Pr/Ph ratios and depositional environments, indicate that the biomarker compositions of Carboniferous–Permian coals in Ordos Basin are mainly related to their depositional environment. This leads to the conclusion that the biomarker compositions of groups A and B coals collected from Shanxi and Taiyuan formations in the northern Ordos Basin are mainly related to their marine–terrigenous transitional environment, whereas the biomarker compositions for the Group C coals from Carboniferous strata and Shanxi Formation in the eastern Ordos Basin are associated with marine incursions.     

Carbon isotope composition of long chain leaf wax n-alkanes in lake sediments: A dual indicator of paleoenvironment in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

The carbon isotope composition (δ¹³C values) of long chain n-alkanes in lake sediments has been considered a reliable means of tracking changes in the terrigenous contribution of plants with C₃ and C₄ photosynthetic pathways. A key premise is that long chain leaf wax components used for isotope analysis are derived primarily from terrigenous higher plants. The role of aquatic plants in affecting δ¹³C values of long chain n-alkanes in lacustrine sediments may, however, have long been underestimated. In this study, we found that a large portion of long chain n-alkanes (C₂₇ and C₂₉) in nearshore sediments of the Lake Qinghai catchment was contributed by submerged aquatic plants, which displayed a relatively positive carbon isotope composition (e.g. −26.7‰ to −15.7‰ for C₂₉) similar to that of terrestrial C₄ plants. Thus, the use of δ¹³C values of sedimentary C₂₇ and C₂₉ n-alkanes for tracing terrigenous vegetation composition may create a bias toward significant overestimation/underestimation of the proportion of terrestrial C₄ plants. For sedimentary C₃₁, however, the contribution from submerged plants was minor, so that the δ¹³C values for C₃₁ n-alkane in surface sediments were in accord with those of the modern terrestrial vegetation in the Lake Qinghai region. Moreover, we found that changes in the δ¹³C values of sedimentary C₂₇ and C₂₉ n-alkanes were closely related to water depth variation. Downcore analysis further demonstrated the significant influence of endogenous lipids in lake sediments for the interpretation of terrestrial C₄ vegetation and associated environment/climate reconstruction. In conclusion, our results suggest that the δ¹³C values of sedimentary long chain n-alkanes (C₂₇, C₂₉ and C₃₁) may carry different environmental signals. While the δ¹³C values of C₃₁ were a reliable proxy for C₄/C₃ terrestrial vegetation composition, the δ¹³C values of C₂₇ and C₂₉ n-alkanes may have recorded lake ecological conditions and sources of organic carbon, which might be affected by lake water depth.     

Biomarker distributions as indicators for the depositional environment of lacustrine sediments in the Valjevo-Mionica basin (Serbia)

In this study, the molecular composition and biomarker distribution of lacustrine sediments from Val-1 drillhole in the central zone of the western part of the Valjevo-Mionica basin were investigated at depth interval of 0–400 m. Former investigations have shown that the core material can be separated into six depth intervals based on bulk geochemical, mineralogical and sedimentological characteristics. Concerning the quality of organic matter, presence of specific minerals, and high salinity and anoxicity, or alkalinity, three zones are of highest interest, defined at depth intervals of 15–75 m (A), 75–200 m (B) and 360–400 m (F). The first aim of the study was to identify which biomarkers characterize these specific intervals. The second aim, addressing the transitions zones of these intervals, was to extend the changes in the characteristics of the organic substance, to reflect the changes of conditions in the depositional environment as well as to define biomarker parameters which are the most sensitive sedimentological indicators.The sediments from the hypersaline anoxic and alkaline environment show high contribution of algal precursor biomass, what is in accordance with the good quality of organic substances in the sediments from these zones. High squalane content and low content of regular isoprenoid C₂₅ are typical for hypersaline anoxic environment, whereas sediments from alkaline environment have high regular isoprenoid C₂₅ content.Transition to specific sedimentation zones is characterized by change in total organic matter content, and of both free and pyrolysis-derived, and change in hydrogen index value. In the biomarker distributions, more significant changes were detected in distributions of n-alkanes and isoprenoids, compared to polycyclic alkanes. The most intensive changes in alkane distribution are reflected in changes in n-C₁₇ content compared to n-C₂₇, and phytane compared to n-C₁₈. In addition, significant sensitivity was seen in ratios between squalane and n-alkane C₂₆ (hypersaline depositional environment), or isoprenoid C₂₅ and n-alkane C₂₂ for high alkalinity environment.This study showed that Sq/n-C₂₆ ratio can be used to assess the quality of organic substance in immature lacustrine sediments.     

Characteristic of homodrimane and maturity of organic matter in the low mature source rocks

Bicyclic sesquiterpenoids are mostly used to illustrate the origins of organic matter and genetic types of crude oil presently.In this paper,the relationship between distributions and compositions of C16 homodrimane in immature to mature source rocks and evolution of organic matter was studied,and the correlation between C16 homodrimane at immature to low mature stages and thermal evolution of organic matter was analyzed.The results show that in terrestrial facies depositional system,the ratio of 8α(H)-homodrimane to 8β(H)-homodrimane has a high sensitivity about the maturity’s minor changes at immature to low mature stages.It is found that when the vitrinite reflectance R0<0.7%,the ratio significantly decreases with increasing burial depth or maturity.This kind of phenomenon reveals that these parameters may be the useful maturity indicators for determining the relative maturation of organic matter at immature to low mature stages,and have certain practical value in biogeochemical and en- vironmental geochemical research on low mature oil and gas.     

Isotopic compositions of tropical East African flora and their potential as source indicators of organic matter in coastal marine sediments

The C and N stable isotope compositions of some flora of East Africa from coastal Tanzania and Amboseli National Park (Kenya) are used to assess if they can be used as a terrestrial end member during the estimation of terrestrial fraction in coastal marine sediments. The results of C isotope composition of various tree leaves, which average −29.3 ± 1.4%, indicate that these tropical higher land plant species follow a Calvin-Benson or non-Kranz (C₃) type of metabolism. The results for grass species, which average −13.2 ± 2.4%, indicate that most of them follow a Hatch-Slack or Kranz (C₄) type of metabolism. However, some of the succulent plants from the Amboseli National Park have δ¹³C values that average −14.7%, an indication that they follow a CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism) type of metabolism. The N isotope values are relatively higher than expected for the terrestrial organic material. The average δ¹⁵N values for both tree and grass samples are higher than 5% and fall within the range normally considered to be marine. The high enrichment in ¹⁵N may be related to the environmental conditions in which plants thrive. Plants growing in sandy, dry and overgrazed environments are expected to be enriched in ¹⁵N owing to full utilisation of all available N species, regardless of their isotopic compositions. Other processes which may cause an enrichment in ¹⁵N include adsorption by various types of clay minerals, supply of ¹⁵N-enriched nitrate through sea-spray, and local denitrification, especially in swampy and lake margins where the input of organic matter may be higher than the rate of decomposition.The stable isotopic composition of organic C and N for surficial organic matter for the coastal marine sediments averages −17.0 ± 0.9% and 5.4 ± 1.1%, respectively. These values indicate a substantial contribution of C₄ plants and sea grasses. However, contribution of C₄ relative to that of sea grasses can not be evaluated owing to the fact that there is no significant difference in the isotopic compositions between the two groups.In the savannah environment, where a contribution from the C₄ types of plants might be substantial, the δ¹³C value for a terrestrial end member needs to be established prior to evaluation of the terrestrially derived organic matter in the marine environment. Owing to a significant contribution of sea grasses to the total organic matter preserved in coastal marine sediments, the stable isotopes of organic C seem to have a limited applicability as source indicators in the East African coastal waters. Furthermore, the results indicate that N stable isotopes seem to have a limited applicability as source indicators in coastal waters of East Africa. However, more work needs to be conducted to determine the terrestrial and sea grass end member values for the coastal areas.