Compositions,sources and depositional environments of organic matter from the Middle Jurassic clays of Poland

The comprehensive biomarker characteristics from previously undescribed Middle Jurassic clays of Poland are presented. The molecular composition of the organic matter (OM) derived from clays of Aalenian to Callovian age has not changed significantly through time. High relative concentrations of many biomarkers typical for terrestrial material suggest a distinct dominance of OM derived from land plants. Increasing concentrations of C₂₉-diaster-13(17)-enes towards the northern part of the basin indicate an increase in terrestrial input. This terrestrial material would have originated from the enhanced transport of organic matter from land situated at the northern bank of the basin, i.e., the Fennoscandian Shield. The organic matter was deposited in an oxic to suboxic environment, as indicated by relatively low concentrations of C₃₃–C₃₅ homohopanes, moderate to high Pr/Ph ratio values, an absence of compounds characteristic for anoxia and water column stratification, such as isorenieratane, aryl isoprenoids and gammacerane, as well as common benthic fauna and burrows. δ¹⁸O measurements from calcitic rostra of belemnites suggest that the mean value of the Middle Jurassic sea-water temperature of the Polish Basin was 13.1 °C. It is suggested that this mirrored the temperature of the lower water column because belemnites are considered here to be necto-benthic. The organic matter from the Middle Jurassic basin of Poland is immature. This is clearly indicated by a large concentration of biomarkers with the biogenic configurations, such as ββ-hopanes, hop-13(18)-enes, hop-17(21)-enes, diasterenes and sterenes. The identification of preserved, unaltered biomolecules like ferruginol, 6,7-dehydroferruginol and sugiol in Protopodocarpoxylon wood samples from these sediments present particularly strong evidence for the presence of immature OM in the Middle Jurassic sediments. Moreover, the occurrence of these polar diterpenoids is important due to the fact that they are definitely the oldest known natural products detected in geological samples.     

CRUSTAL GRANITOIDS

Eocene organic-rich sediments are widespread in the Amasya region of north-central Turkey and have been studied in outcrop. Detailed data from thick Eocene sediments (Derealan Formation) made it possible to construct an organic-facies framework using different zonations.

Organic matter is composed predominantly of autochthonous algal and amorphous material, with a minor contribution of allochthonous terrestrial material. Kerogen in the deposits is primarily Type I, as indicated by organic petrographic observations and Rock-Eval data. Total organic-carbon content (TOC) of this deposit decreases from over 54% in limestone and shale to less than 2% in the other deposits of the Derealan Formation. Tmax values vary between 441 ° and 456° C, confirming the increase in maturation trends indicated by vitrinite reflectance data.

Both organic petrographic and geochemical maturation parameters place the Eocene sediments of the Northern Gumushacikoy (Amasya) region within the B organic facies. According to the organic-carbon/sedimentation-rate relationship, the preservation of matter took place under anoxic conditions.     

黑龙江省东部中侏罗世至早白垩世沟鞭藻组合序列

对近二十年来黑龙江省东部海相侏罗纪—白垩纪沟鞭藻地层资料进行了综合研究 ,首次为该地区建立起侏罗纪—白垩纪沟鞭藻地层序列 ,主要包含 7个组合带 (含 3个高峰带 ) ,其中绥滨地区 Callovian— Valanginian期有 4个带 ;鸡西盆地早白垩世也有 4个带 (其中包括与绥滨地区早白垩世早期同时异相的一个 )。它们自下而上为 :1)绥滨组的 Pareodinia ceratophora- N annoceratopsispellucida组合带 ;　 2 )东荣组下部的 Gonyaulacysta jurassica组合带 (高峰带 ) ;　 3)东荣组上部的 Amphorula delicata组合带 ;　 4 )东荣组最上部的海相 Oligosphaeridium pul-cherrimum组合带 (高峰带 )或鸡西盆地滴道组的微咸水—半咸水的 Vesperopsis didaoensis- L agenorhytis granoru-gosa组合带 ,两者为同时异相关系 ;　 5 )城子河组下部海相层的 Odontochitina operculata- Muderongia tetracantha组合带 (该带可进一步划分出 2个亚组合带 ) ;　 6 )城子河组上部海相层的 Canningia reticulata组合带 ;　 7)穆棱组下段的 Cribroperidinium ?parorthoceras组合带 (高峰带 )。     

河南济源晚三叠世—中侏罗世陆相地层

<正> 河南济源西承留一带晚三叠世—中侏罗世地层分布广泛、出露良好,化石丰富。60年代,河南省地质局石油队和区测队等做过区测工作,建立了地层系统。1979至1985年,笔者等在“河南省中生代含煤地层及找煤方向”课题研究时,研究地层的岩性及化石群特征,将本区晚三叠世—中侏罗世地层自下而上分为椿树腰组(T_(3ch)~1)、谭庄组(T_(3t)~2)、鞍腰组(J_(1a))、杨树庄组(J_(2y))和马凹组(J_(2m)),分述如下:     

四川广元上寺剖面上二叠统大隆组有机质分布特征与富集因素

四川盆地上二叠统大隆组富有机质硅质泥岩是页岩气勘探的一套重要目的层系.利用扫描电子显微镜和元素地球化学等方法探究大隆组有机质类型、分布特征及富集因素,对该地区非常规油气勘探具有指导意义.根据扫描电镜图片,上寺剖面大隆组有机质按形态可分为形态有机质、弥散有机质和沥青.三者成因不同,形态有机质是选择性保存的结果,以离散状分布在所有岩性样品中;弥散有机质是大隆组有机碳总量(total organic carbon,TOC)的主体,主要分布在硅质泥岩样品中,硅质灰岩样品中极少,体现了粘土矿物的吸附作用;沥青是可溶有机质运移进入孔、缝系统,经高热演化后形成的块状有机质,主要分布于硅质灰岩和灰岩样品中.该剖面地球化学数据显示缺氧沉积环境有利于有机质保存,但海洋表层生产力才是控制TOC含量变化的主要因素.研究表明,晚二叠世海平面上升导致上寺剖面大隆组表层生产力增加及底层海水缺氧,该组富有机质黑色硅质泥岩段高TOC是沉积环境与矿物吸附共同作用的结果,同时也反映了原生有机质保存情况.更好的理解泥质烃源岩中有机质赋存类型有助于烃源岩评价及非常规油气勘探开发工作.      

松辽盆地白垩系青山口阶界线层型剖面研究

茂206井是中国白垩纪大陆科学钻探工程井,全井获取了青山口阶497.02m的岩芯资料。茂206井青山口阶为典型的湖相沉积,它具有相对高的有机碳、无机碳稳定同位素,表示当时古湖泊具有较高的生产力;同时在青山口阶下部具有高的规则甾烷/藿烷比值和伽马蜡烷/C30藿烷比值以及低的重排甾烷/常规甾烷比值,表示当时的古湖泊曾发生过藻类勃发事件、水体分层事件和缺氧事件,由此导致了青山口阶优质烃源岩的形成。青山口阶底部出现的一些具重要时代意义的被子植物花粉Cranwellia,Lythraites,Complexiopollis,Borealipollis等,显示青山口阶具有晚白垩世土仑期以后的被子植物花粉色彩,以及湖相沉积岩夹层中的火山灰(斑脱岩)锆石U-Pb年龄也证实了青山口阶底界已属土仑期,其顶界已进入康尼亚克期。     

Palynostratigraphy and palaeoenvironmental significance of the Cretaceous palynomorphs in the Qattara Rim-1X well,North Western Desert,Egypt

Palynological and palynofacies analyses were carried out on some Cretaceous samples from the Qattara Rim-1X borehole, north Western Desert, Egypt. The recorded palynoflora enabled the recognition of two informal miospore biozones arranged from oldest to youngest as Elaterosporites klaszii-Afropollis jardinus Assemblage Zone (mid Albian) and Elaterocolpites castelainii–Afropollis kahramanensis Assemblage Zone (late Albian–mid Cenomanian). A poorly fossiliferous but however, datable interval (late Cenomanian–Turonian to ?Campanian–Maastrichtian) representing the uppermost part of the studied section was also recorded. The palynofacies and visual thermal maturation analyses indicate a mature terrestrially derived organic matter (kerogen III) dominates the sediments of the Kharita and Bahariya formations and thus these two formations comprise potential mature gas source rocks. The sediments of the Abu Roash Formation are mostly dominated by mature amorphous organic matter (kerogen II) and the formation is regarded as a potential mature oil source rock in the well. The palynomorphs and palynofacies analyses suggest deposition of the clastics of the Kharita and Bahariya formations (middle Albian and upper Albian–middle Cenomanian) in a marginal marine setting under dysoxic–anoxic conditions. By contrast, the mixed clastic-carbonate sediments of the Abu Roash Formation (upper Cenomanian–Turonian) and the carbonates of the Khoman Formation (?Campanian–Maastrichtian) were mainly deposited in an inner shallow marine setting under prevailing suboxic–anoxic conditions as a result of the late Cenomanian and the Campanian marine transgressions. This environmental change from marginal to open (inner shelf) basins reflects the vertical change in the type of the organic matter and its corresponding hydrocarbon-prone types. A regional warm and semi-arid climate but with a local humid condition developed near/at the site of the well is thought to have prevailed.     

塔里木盆地盐下地区奥陶系火山碎屑物质特征

奥陶纪是古亚洲洋演化的关键时期,也是塔里木盆地周缘板块构造环境转换的重要时期.然而,南天山洋向北俯冲-消减的时间一直存在争议.通过对保存在塔里木盆地盐下地区奥陶系鹰山组和良里塔格组的火山碎屑物质的岩石学和地球化学特征研究,结合岩相古地理演化格局,约束了南天山洋向北俯冲削减的时间.研究表明,鹰山组碳酸盐岩中主要发育基性沉凝灰岩薄夹层,良里塔格组火山碎屑物质主要为基性火山岩屑.鹰山组和良里塔格组火山碎屑物质的Th/Yb-Ta/Yb图解指示它们来源于活动大陆边缘弧环境.U/Th-Th图解显示大部分样品落在典型弧火山岩区,且多数位于混有沉积物来源的弧火山岩与典型弧火山岩重叠区域,表明研究区火山物质源区曾受到与俯冲相关流体或熔体的改造.Ba/Th-（La/Sm）_n图解进一步表明火山碎屑物质源区具有上地壳沉积物质起源的熔体混染,且良里塔格组沉积时期,火山碎屑物质源区受沉积物起源熔体混染的程度更深,改造得更加明显和强烈.上述地球化学特征表明,在早奥陶世鹰山组沉积时期南天山洋已经俯冲消减,且在晚奥陶世良里塔格组沉积时期处于强烈俯冲期.      

湘西震旦—寒武纪交替时期古海洋环境的恢复

前寒武纪至寒武纪的交替时期是地质史和生命史的重要转折。中国南方地区广泛发育了上震旦统、下寒武统的黑色岩系。文中运用沉积学和沉积地球化学的理论和方法对湘西黑色岩系的岩石类型、矿物组成、元素地球化学特征、干酪根的结构以及碳同位素的组成等方面进行了研究 ,讨论了黑色岩系的形成条件 ,恢复了震旦纪 /寒武纪地史转折期的古环境。研究认为 ,湘西地区在晚震旦世和早寒武世地史转折期的生物爆发和高有机质的产率是形成缺氧环境的重要因素之一。     

New record of Bathonian–Callovian calcareous nannofossils in the eastern Karakoram block: a possible clue to understanding the dextral offset along the Karakoram Fault

We report the first record of Bathonian–Callovian calcareous nannofossils from a marine sedimentary sequence of the eastern Karakoram block, in northern India. The calcareous mudstones and packstones, occasionally bearing red chert nodules, yielded calcareous nanofossils and Middle Jurassic Choffatia furcula ammonoids. Middle to Upper Jurassic nannofossil assemblage is dominated by representatives of the genus Watznaueria. The occurrence of Ansulasphaera helvetica whose range is Upper Bathonian–Upper Callovian, indicates a correlation with nannofossil zones NJ12–13. The occurrence of Cyclagelosphaera wiedmannii further infer an Upper Bathonian–Callovian age. These specimens show affinities with those found in a similar sedimentary formation exposed in north Karakoram. This suggests the existence of a narrow and elongated sedimentary basin, oriented in a NW–SE direction, at a latitude of c. 25°–30°N. At that time, the Karakoram block was situated near the already welded Qiangtang block of Asia. The northern and eastern Karakoram blocks were connected during Middle Jurassic. The activity and dextral offset of the Karakoram fault separated the Jurassic sedimentary formations of the northern and eastern Karakoram blocks by c. 150 km.     

Organofacies and paleoenvironment of the Oligocene Maikop series of Angeharan (eastern Azerbaijan)

The Maikop Formation, deposited in eastern Azerbaijan during Oligocene and Early Miocene times, contains prolific source rocks with primarily Type II organic matter. Paleontological analyses of dinoflagellate cysts revealed a Lower to Upper Oligocene age for the investigated succession near Angeharan. A major contribution of aquatic organisms (diatoms, green algae, dinoflagellates, chrysophyte algae) and minor inputs from macrophytes and land plants to organic matter accumulation is indicated by n-alkane distribution patterns, composition of steroids and δ¹³C of hydrocarbon biomarkers. Microbial communities included heterotrophic bacteria, cyanobacteria, chemoautotrophic bacteria, as well as green sulfur bacteria. Higher inputs of terrigenous organic matter occurred during deposition of the Upper Oligocene units of the Maikop Formation from Angeharan mountains. The terpenoid hydrocarbon composition argues for angiosperm dominated vegetation in the Shamakhy–Gobustan area.High primary bioproductivity resulted in a stratified water column and the accumulation of organic matter rich sediments in the Lower Oligocene units of the Maikop Formation. Organic carbon accumulation during this period occurred in a permanently (salinity-) stratified, mesohaline environment with free H₂S in the water column. This is indicated by low pristane/phytane ratios of all sediments (varying from 0.37–0.69), lower methylated-(trimethyltridecyl)chromans ratio in the lower units and their higher contents of aryl isoprenoids and highly branched isoprenoid thiophenes. Subsequently, the depositional environment changed to normal marine conditions with oxygen deficient bottom water. The retreat of the chemocline towards the sediment–water interface and enhanced oxic respiration of OM during deposition of the Upper Oligocene Maikop sediments is proposed.Parallel depth trends in δ¹³C of total OM, n-alkanes, isoprenoids and steranes argue for changes in the regional carbon cycle, associated with the changing environmental conditions. Increased remineralisation of OM in a more oxygenated water column is suggested to result in low TOC and hydrocarbon contents, as well as ¹⁵N enriched total nitrogen of the Upper Oligocene units.     

Hydrocarbons generation potential of the Jurassic–Lower Cretaceous Formation, Ajeel field, Iraq

Organic geochemical analysis and palynological studies of the organic matters of subsurface Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous Formations for two wells in Ajeel oil field, north Iraq showed evidences for hydrocarbon generation potential especially for the most prolific source rocks Chia Gara and Sargelu Formations. These analyses include age assessment of Upper Jurassic (Tithonian) to Lower Cretaceous (Berriasian) age and Middle Jurassic (Bathonian–Tithonian) age for Chia Gara and Sargelu Formations, respectively, based on assemblages of mainly dinoflagellate cyst constituents. Rock-Eval pyrolysis have indicated high total organic carbon (TOC) content of up to 18.5 wt%, kerogen type II with hydrogen index of up to 415 mg HC/g TOC, petroleum potential of 0.70–55.56 kg hydrocarbon from each ton of rocks and mature organic matter of maximum temperature reached (T_max) range between 430 and 440 °C for Chia Gara Formation, while Sargelu Formation are of TOC up to 16 wt% TOC, Kerogen type II with hydrogen index of 386 mg HC/g TOC, petroleum potential of 1.0–50.90 kg hydrocarbon from each ton of rocks, and mature organic matter of T_max range between 430 and 450 °C. Qualitative studies are done in this study by textural microscopy used in assessing amorphous organic matter for palynofacies type belonging to kerogen type A which contain brazinophyte algae, Tasmanites, and foraminifera test linings, as well as the dinoflagellate cysts and spores, deposited in dysoxic–anoxic environment for Chia Gara Formation and similar organic constituents deposited in distal suboxic–anoxic environment for Sargelu Formation. The palynomorphs are of dark orange and light brown, on the spore species Cyathidites australis, that indicate mature organic matters with thermal alteration index of 2.7–3.0 for the Chia Gara Formation and 2.9–3.1 for the Sargelu Formation by Staplin's scale. These characters have rated the succession as a source rock for very high efficiency for generation and expulsion of oil with ordinate gas that charged mainly oil fields of Baghdad, Dyala (B?aquba), and Salahuddin (Tikrit) Governorates. Oil charge the Cretaceous-Tertiary total petroleum system (TPS) are mainly from Chia Gara Formation, because most oil from Sargelu Formation was prevented passing to this TPS by the regional seal Gotnia Formation. This case study of mainly Chia Gara oil source is confirmed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis for oil from reservoirs lying stratigraphically above the Chia Gara Formation in Ajeel and Hamrine oil fields, while oil toward the north with no Gotnia seal could be of mainly Sargelu Formation source.     

Organic‐geochemical characteristics of the Miocene Lycian Basin,western Taurides,Turkey

In the Lycian Basin (SW Turkey), the Miocene Karabay?r and Karaku?tepe formations consist of algal limestone, conglomerate, sandstone, shale and limestone. Total organic carbon (TOC) analysis of the Miocene units show that these formations are poor in organic matter. TOC values are generally between 0.02 and 0.51%, but reach 3.47% in the Karabay?r Formation. Hydrogen indices (HI) are mostly below 600 mgHC/gTOC, increasing to 1200 mgHC/gTOC in the Karabay?r Formation. S₂ vs. TOC diagrams are used to evaluate the sedimentary environments and hydrocarbon potential of the Lower–Middle Miocene sediments (the Isparta, Bucak and Korkuteli‐Elmal? areas). The organic material contains about 63 (type I), 35 (type II) and 29 (type II/III) pyrolysable hydrocarbons, respectively. The dominant organic matter is type II kerogens, and hydrocarbon generating potential is quite low. A positive x‐intercept has been calculated in analysed samples according to S₂ vs. TOC diagrams; this value shows a rock‐matrix effect. Clay is the main agent of adsorption. Biomarker characteristics also verify these results. Isoprenoid rates are Pr/Ph: 2, Pr/n‐C17: 1.9, and Pr/n‐C18: 0.5, and a high Pr/Ph ratio (pristane/phytane) indicates an oxic environment; the terpane C29 NH/C30 H ratio is >1 for the Karabay?r Formation, and this value indicates a carbonate lithology. On the other hand, the C25 NH/C30 H ratio is <1 for the Karaku?tepe Formation; this indicates that the hydrocarbons were derived from terrestrial organic matter. According to m/z 191 mass fragmentograms, the Miocene units contain oleanane, indicating a Tertiary age. The abundance of sterane C29>C28>C27 shows that the kerogens formed from algal organic matter.     

西沙礁相第四纪地层初步研究

本文根据西沙三个全取芯钻孔的纵向序列,结合部分年代学数据,开展了岩石地层学、生物地层学、碳、氧稳定同位素和地球化学地层学研究,对西沙礁相第四纪地层进行了划分。整个第四系称西沙群,下更新统称永兴组,中更新统称琛航组,上更新统仍沿用石岛组,全新统称为西沙洲组。这一新的系统划分,对海陆第四纪地层间的互相对比提供了一定的依据。     

Anomalous geochemical signals from phosphatic Middle Cambrian rocks in the southern Georgina Basin, Australia

Middle Cambrian rocks of the Georgina Basin contain both phosphatic and organic-rich sediments, the former often occurring as commercially viable phosphate deposits, and the latter as minor oil shale occurrences. Both kinds of rocks occur in the Hay River Formation penetrated by Bureau of Mineral Resources (BMR) stratigraphic corehole Tobermory 14. Detailed sampling and analysis of this core has been undertaken to assess the chemostratigraphy of the Hay River Formation; to examine the possible use, as a palaeoceanographic tool, of changes in δ¹³C values of carbonates and kerogens; and to gain an understanding of phosphate deposition in this part of the basin. The Upper Hay River Formation was deposited in a normal marine environment characterized by oxic bottom conditions. It contains several episodes of significant trace metal enrichment which appear to indicate periodic replacement of the water body. The Lower Hay River Formation, however, was deposited in an abnormal marine environment low in sulphate and Mo and enriched in P. Its carbonate phase has positive δ¹³C values 1–1.5%₀ enriched over the accepted Cambrian marine carbonate value of -0.57 ± 0.17%₀. The very low sulphate concentration, Mo-depletion and spiking of carbonate δ¹⁸O values suggests there was an influx of deeper ocean water of sufficient volume to maintain prolonged stable anoxic bottom waters. These data support a previous suggestion that phosphogenesis in the Georgina Basin was related to ‘Oceanic Anoxic Events'.     

Organic matter in Upper Devonian deposits of the Chernyshev Ridge

The study provides the first data on organic matter from Upper Devonian deposits of the Shar’yu River section (Chernyshev Ridge, Northern Urals). Oil shales from the Middle and Middle–Upper Domanik intervals and carbonaceous shales from the Upper Frasnian intervals were analyzed. The biomarker analysis revealed similar characteristics of organic matter from studied samples and Domanik-facies rocks of the Ukhta area. It was also shown that organic matter from the studied Domanik section is characterized by compositional heterogeneity. The biomarker and stable carbon isotope compositions of bitumen extracts, their fractions, and kerogen of the Middle and Middle–Upper Domanik shales are different from those of the Upper Frasnian shale, which may indicate the variation in depositional setting.     

Maturity studies and source-rock potential in the southern Sverdrup Basin, Arctic Canada

The purpose of the study is to better understand the relationship between organic matter optical properties and the presence of potentially large oil and gas accumulations in Arctic Canada. The type and thermal maturity of the dispersed organic matter of the Mesozoic formations in the southern Sverdrup Basin, Melville Island, have been studied using organic petrology and Rock-Eval pyrolysis.All types of organic matter are present in the strata of Mesozoic age. Hydrogen-rich liptinite is dominated by alginite (Botryococcus and Tasmanites), dinoflagellate cysts and amorphous fluorescing matrix. Sporinite, cutinite, resinite and liptodetrinite made up the lesser hydrogen-rich exinite. Vitrinite reflectance in Cretaceous sediments ranges from 0.36 to 0.65% R_o; in Jurassic sediments it ranges from 0.40 to 1.0% R_o and in the Triassic from 0.45 to 1.30% R_o, showing an overall increase with depth of burial.Cretaceous sediments of the Deer Bay Formation are thermally immature and contain organic matter of terrestrial origin. The Upper Jurassic shales of the Ringnes Formation contain predominantly organic matter of liptinitic and exinitic origin with a considerable vitrinitic input. At optimum maturation levels, potential source beds of this formation would have a good hydrocarbon-generating potential. The hydrocarbon potential, however, would be limited to the generation of gases due to the leanness of the source rocks. Parts of the Lower Jurassic Jameson Bay Formation are organic-rich and contain a mixed exinitic/vitrinitic organic matter, Botryococcus colonial algae but visible organic matter is dominated by high plant remains (mainly spores). The Schei Point Group shales and siltstones contain organic matter of almost purely marine origin, whereas the predominantly higher plant-derived organic matter found in the Deer Bay, Jameson Bay and partly in the Ringnes formations have higher TOC. Among the Schei Point Group samples, the Cape Richards and Eden Bay members of the Hoyle Bay Formation are richer in TOC (>2.0%) than the Murray Harbour Formation (Cape Caledonia Member). This may reflect differences in the level of maturity or in the depositional environment (more anoxic conditions for the former).Regional variations in the level of thermal maturity of Mesozoic sediments in Sverdrup Basin appear to be a function of burial depth. The Mesozoic formations thicken towards the basin centre (NNE direction), reflecting the general pattern of increasing thermal maturity north of Sabine Peninsula. However, the regional thermal-maturation pattern of the Mesozoic is not solely a reflection of the present-day geothermal gradient, which indicates that anomalous zones of high geothermal gradient may have existed in the past, at least since when the Mesozoic sediments attained maximum burial depth. The contour pattern of the regional variation of maturity at the base of numerous Triassic formations is similar to that of the structural contours of the Sverdrup Basin, indicating that present-day maturation levels are largely controlled by basin subsidence.     

Fossil fuel compounds from fly dust in recent organic matter of southern Poland peats

Several samples of peat from 6 bogs located in southern Poland were investigated for occurrence and distribution types of biomarkers present in their extractable organic matter fraction. It was found that there are inputs from two different sources of organic compounds differing in their characteristics and origin: (1) recent immature peat organic matter deposited in situ which is the source of all polar functionalized compounds, most of n-alkanes, and acyclic isoprenoids, and (2) mature fossil fuels, most probably bituminous coals from the Upper Silesia Coal Basin of vitrinite reflectance equivalent values of 0.9–1.1%. The latter compounds were most probably transported with fly ash to bogs from nearby settlements utilizing such fuel in domestic ovens. This group includes pentacyclic triterpenoids (hopanes and moretanes), minor amounts of n-alkanes, and numerous alkyl naphthalenes and alkyl phenanthrenes. All these compounds show distributions and values of geochemical ratios characteristic for mature organic matter confirming there ex situ origin.     

An Upper Cretaceous (Campanian-Maastrichtian) actinopterygian fish assemblage from the marginal marine Adaffa Formation of Saudi Arabia

Actinopterygian remains have been recovered from Upper Cretaceous (lower Campanian to lower Maastrichtian) marginal marine deposits of the Adaffa Formation in northwestern Saudi Arabia. The fossils comprise gars (Lepisosteidae), pachycormids (cf. Protosphyraena sp.), indeterminate pycnodontiforms, enchodontid teleosts (cf. Enchodus sp.) and other indeterminate Teleostei. This assemblage is significant because it includes a novel occurrence for the Middle East (Pachycormidae) together with taxa (Lepisosteidae, Pycnodontiformes, Enchodontidae) that have been previously recorded from Late Cretaceous faunas elsewhere in the Mediterranean Tethyan region.     

Organic matter provenance,palaeoproductivity and bottom water anoxia during the Cenomanian/Turonian oceanic anoxic event in the Newfoundland Basin (northern proto North Atlantic Ocean)

Free and sulfur-bound biomarkers in sediments deposited in the northern proto North Atlantic (Newfoundland Basin, ODP Site 1276) during the Cenomanian–Turonian oceanic anoxic event 2 (OAE-2) were studied. The δ¹³C records of phytane and lycopane confirmed the stratigraphic position of the positive carbon isotope excursion associated with OAE-2, previously reported for total organic carbon (TOC) and β,β-homohopane. Sediments before and after the OAE-2 interval were poor in organic matter (OM) and comprised numerous gravity flow deposits. The interval itself was composed of pelagic sediments with occasionally a much higher TOC content of up to 12.7%. The OAE-2 sediments were characterized by a low amount of terrestrial OM since the dominant biological sources of the biomarkers were aquatic in origin. High hopane, pentamethylicosane (PMI), and squalane abundances in the OM-rich sediments pointed to a relatively high input of prokaryotes, partly derived from cyanobacteria, as suggested by the occasional occurrence of 2-methylhopanes. PMI comprised both the regular and irregular isomer and changes in the δ¹³C of PMI are thought to reflect contributions from methanogenic and methanotrophic archea. The high relative concentration of lycopane indicated that bottom water conditions were anoxic during large parts of the OAE-2 interval. In one horizon, trace amounts of isorenieratane provided evidence for the occasional occurrence of photic zone anoxia. Taken together, the data imply that oceanic anoxia, and probably also high productivity, reached the northernmost part of the proto-North Atlantic during OAE-2, albeit that photic zone anoxia was much less common than in the southern proto-North Atlantic.