Diagenesis of metal-organic complexes in sediments: Formation of metal sulphides from cystine complexes

Metal-cystine complexes of iron, lead, zinc, copper and nickel under mild artificial diagenesis give rise to crystalline metal sulphides and insoluble organic matter as well as gaseous and “oily” organic products. Under confined reducing conditions at 200°C for 100 h a virtual 100% conversion of metal complex to metal sulphide occurs, while < 10% of the associated organic material may remain as kerogen. Such a mechanism could account for the formation of metal sulphides and in particular pyrite from protein- or amino acid-rich material in carbonaceous sediments during diagenesis.