Organic geochemistry of the Dongsheng sedimentary uranium ore deposits,China

Organic matter (OM) associated with the Dongsheng sedimentary U ore hosting sandstone/siltstone was characterized by Rock-Eval, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and stable C isotope analysis and compared to other OM in the sandstone/siltstone interbedded organic matter-rich strata. The OM in all of the analyzed samples is Type III with Ro less than 0.6%, indicating that the OM associated with these U ore deposits can be classified as a poor hydrocarbon source potential for oil and gas. n-Alkanes in the organic-rich strata are characterized by a higher relative abundance of high-molecular-weight (HMW) homologues and are dominated by C₂₅, C₂₇ or C₂₉ with distinct odd-to-even C number predominances from C₂₃ to C₂₉. In contrast, in the sandstone/siltstone samples, the n-alkanes have a higher relative abundance of medium-molecular-weight homologues and are dominated by C₂₂ with no or only slight odd-to-even C number predominances from C₂₃ to C₂₉. Methyl alkanoates in the sandstone/siltstone extracts range from C₁₄ to C₃₀, maximizing at C₁₆, with a strong even C number predominance, but in the organic-rich layers the HMW homologues are higher, maximizing at C₂₄, C₂₆ or C₂₈, also with an even predominance above C₂₂. n-Alkanes in the sandstone/siltstone sequence are significantly depleted in ¹³C relative to n-alkanes in most of the organic-rich strata. Diasterenes, ββ-hopanes and hopenes are present in nearly all the organic-rich sediments but in the sandstone/siltstone samples they occur as the geologically mature isomers. All the results indicate that the OM in the Dongsheng U ore body is derived from different kinds of source materials. The organic compounds in the organic-rich strata are mainly terrestrial, whereas, in the sand/siltstones, they are derived mainly from aquatic biota. Similar distribution patterns and consistent δ¹³C variations between n-alkanes and methyl alkanoates in corresponding samples suggest they are derived from the same precursors. The OM in the organic-rich strata does not appear to have a direct role in the precipitation of the U ore in the sandstone, but an indirect role cannot be excluded. The OM in the U hosting sandstone shows a relatively low hydrogen index, presumably due to oxidation or radiolytic damage.