Biological marker distribution in coexisting kerogen, bitumen and asphaltenes in Monterey Formation diatomite, California

Organic-rich (18.2%) Monterey Formation diatomite from California was studied. The organic matter consist of 94% bitumen and 6% kerogen. Biological markers from the bitumen and from pyrolysates of the coexisting asphaltenes and kerogen were analyzed in order to elucidate the relationship between the various fractions of the organic matter. While 17 alpha(H), 18 alpha(H), 21 alpha(H)-28,30-bisnorhopane was present in the bitumen and in the pryolysate of the asphaltenes, it was not detected in the pyrolysates of the kerogen. A C40-isoprenoid with "head to head" linkage, however, was present in pyrolysates of both kerogen and asphaltenes, but not in the bitumen from the diatomite. The maturation level of the bitumen, based on the extent of isomerization of steranes and hopanes, was that of a mature oil, whereas the pyrolysate from the kerogen showed a considerably lower maturation level. These relationships indicate that the bitumen may not be indigenous to the diatomite and that it is a mature oil that migrated into the rock. We consider the possibility, however, that some of the 28,30-bisnorhopane-rich Monterey Formation oils have not been generated through thermal degradation of kerogen, but have been expelled from the source rock at an early stage of diagenesis.     

Ore Content of Cobalt-Rich Ferromanganese Crusts of the Govorov Guyot of the Magellanic Mountains of the Pacific Ocean

Doklady Earth Sciences - The main ore minerals of all layers of cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts of Guyot Govorov of the Magellanic Mountains of the Pacific Ocean are poorly crystallized, poorly...     

Long-chain carboxylic acids in pyrolysates of Green River kerogen

Long-chain fatty acids (C₁₀-C₃₂), as well as C₁₄-C21 isoprenoid acids (except for C₁₈), have been identified in anhydrous and hydrous pyrolyses products of Green River kerogen (200–400°C, 2–1000 hr). These kerogen-released fatty acids are characterized by a strong even/odd predominance (CPI: 4.8-10.2) with a maximum at C₁₆ followed by lesser amounts of C₁₈ and C₂₂ acids. This distribution is different from that of unbound and bound geolipids extracted from Green River shale. The unbound fatty acids show a weak even/odd predominance (CPI: 1.64) with a maximum at C₁₄, and bound fatty acids display an even/odd predominance (CPI: 2.8) with maxima at C₁₈ and C₃₀. These results suggest that fatty acids were incorporated into kerogen during sedimentation and early diagenesis and were protected from microbial and chemical changes over geological periods of time. Total quantities of fatty acids produced during heating of the kerogen ranged from 0.71 to 3.2 mg/g kerogen. Highest concentrations were obtained when kerogen was heated with water for 100 hr at 300°C. Generally, their amounts did not decrease under hydrous conditions with increase in temperature or heating time, suggesting that significant decarboxylation did not occur under the pyrolysis conditions used, although hydrocarbons were extensively generated.     

Role of minerals in the thermal alteration of organic matter—I: Generation of gases and condensates under dry condition

Pyrolysis experiments were carried out on Monterey formation kerogen and bitumen and Green River formation kerogen (Type II and I, respectively), in the presence and absence of montmorillonite, illite and calcite at 200 and 300°C for 2–2000 hours. The pyrolysis products were identified and quantified and the results of the measurements on the gas and condensate range are reported here.A significant catalytic effect was observed for the pyrolysis of kerogen with montmorillonite, whereas small or no effects were observed with illite and calcite, respectively. Catalytic activity was evident by the production of up to five times higher C₁–C₆ hydrocarbons for kerogen with montmorillonite than for kerogen alone, and by the dominance of branched hydrocarbons in the C₄–C₆ range (up to 90% of the total amount at any single carbon number). This latter effect in the presence of montmorillonite is attributed to cracking via a carbonium-ion [carbocation] intermediate which forms on the acidic sites of the clay. No catalytic effect, however, was observed for generation of methane and C₂ hydrocarbons which form by thermal cracking. The catalysis of montmorillonite was significantly greater during pyrolysis of bitumen than for kerogen, which may point to the importance of the early formed bitumen as an intermediate in the production of low molecular weight hydrocarbons. Catalysis by minerals was also observed for the production of carbon dioxide.These results stress the importance of the mineral matrix in determining the type and amount of gases and condensates forming from the associated organic matter under thermal stress. The literature contains examples of gas distributions in the geologic column which can be accounted for by selective mineral catalysis, mainly during early stages of organic matter maturation.     

From the Geophysical Contrasts of the Caspian Sea to Morphogenetic Differences of Caspian Seals

Izvestiya, Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics - This paper proposes an approach to differentiating the Caspian seal population into separate subpopulations. The Caspian seal, despite the island nature...     

Organic matter in waters of the SW Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean

The 25th cruise of R/FAkademik Knipovitch conducted in January–April of 1990 comprised investigations of total organic carbon (TOC) at the following sections: through the Polar Frontal Zone (PFZ) along 40° W, made in January and April; from the PFZ to the South Orkney Islands, and on the South Georgia shelf. The measurements made comprised TOC, organic nitrogen, nitrate, nitrite, ammonium nitrogen, phosphate and silicate.The surface waters of the region were characterized by high heat content, which influenced the Antarctic phytosynosis function. The data obtained showed low content of organic matter (OM); high content of TOC, rising up to 3,5 mg m^–3, was recorded at the photic layer and in the layer of OM accumulation, at the upper boundary of the Antarctic Deep Waters and the vertical boundaries of the Antarctic Intermediate Waters. The South Georgia shelf waters showed even distribution of TOC, about 0,2 mg m^–3, being under the influence of the south periphery of the ACC waters.     

Formation of immature asphalt from organic-rich carbonate rocks—I. Geochemical correlation

The formation of low-maturity asphaltic oils (immature asphalts) from carbonate source rocks was investigated. The Senonian bituminous rocks (SBR) in Israel are organic-rich carbonate rocks that were deposited in a high productivity environment, and they are part of a sedimentary sequence that also contains cherts and phosphorites. The SBR were studied in different basins, and the samples are from outcrops and three deep drillholes. The bitumen contents of the rocks are exceptionally high (up to 700 mg/g C_org), and immature asphalts are found to be associated with them. Geochemical analysis indicates that the bitumens are indigenous to the host SBR, and the associated asphalts are bitumens that have migrated a short distance with negligible chemical fractionation. The high heteroatom content of the kerogens (up to 30%) in the SBR is suggested as a possible cause of the generation of asphaltic oils in an early stage of maturation.     

The role of minerals in the thermal alteration of organic matter--III. Generation of bitumen in laboratory experiments

A series of pyrolysis experiments, utilizing two different immature kerogens (from the Monterey and Green River Formations) mixed with common sedimentary minerals (calcite, illite, or Na-montmorillonite), was conducted to study the impact of the mineral matrix on the bitumen that was generated. Calcite has no significant influence on the thermal evolution of bitumen and also shows virtually no adsorption capacity for any of the pyrolysate. In contrast, montmorillonite and illite, to a lesser extent, alter bitumen during dry pyrolysis. Montmorillonite and illite also display strong adsorption capacities for the polar constituents of bitumen. By this process, hydrocarbons are substantially concentrated within the pyrolysate that is not strongly adsorbed on the clay matrices. The effects of the clay minerals are significantly reduced during hydrous pyrolysis. The strong adsorption capacities of montmorillonite and illite, as well as their thermocatalytic properties, may in part explain why light oils and gases are generated from certain argillaceous source-rock assemblages, whereas heavy immature oils are often derived from carbonate source rocks.