Triterpenoids as molecular indicators of paleoseepage in recent sediments of the Southern California bight

Petroleum-derived hydrocarbons have been identified in sediments by analysis of the n-alkanes, aromatic hydrocarbons and branched and cyclic components (humps). The detection of low levels of petroleum input to sediments can be ambiguous due to the presence of syngenetic biolipids. Triterpenoids, especially the (17αH, 21βH)-hopanes, have been proposed as sensitive molecular markers of petroleum pollution.Recent sediments from the Southern California Bight to subbottom depths of about 30 cm (pre-anthropogenic) contain lipids of syngenetic origin with major humps of branched and cyclic material and triterpenoids consisting mainly of the (17αH, 21βH)-hopanes ranging from C₂₇ to C₃₅. Extended hopanes (> C₃₁) are found as 1:1 mixtures of the 22R and 22S diastereomers. The 17α(H),18α(H), 21β(H)-28,30-bisnorhopane is the dominant triterpane for most of these sediments and appears to be a potential molecular marker characteristic of the Southern California petroleums. Extended tricyclic diterpanes ranging from C₁₉ to C₂₇ are also present and their structures make them further possible indicators of petroleum. Southern California Bight sediments therefore appear to contain petroleum products from both seepage and anthropogenic activity.Recent sediments from other areas (e.g. Guaymas Basin, Gulf of California; Cook Inlet, Alaska; Eastern Bering Sea; Walvis Bay, Southwest Africa; and Mangrove Lake, Bermuda) contain predominantly (17βH, 21βH)-hopanes and hopenes, indicating recent synthesis and no petroleum pollution.