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Thermal alteration experiments on organic matter in recent marine sediments as a model for petroleum genesisThe fate of naturally occurring lipids and pigments in a marine sediment exposed to elevated temperatures was studied. Samples of a young marine sediment from Tanner Basin, California, were heated to a series of temperatures (65-200 C) for varying periods of time (7-64 days). The sediment was analyzed prior to and after heating for pigments, isoprenoid compounds, alcohols, fatty acids, and hydrocarbons. Structural changes caused by heating unextractable organic material (kerogen) were also studied, and the significance of the results for understanding petroleum genesis is considered. Among other results, fatty acids and hydrocarbons increased in abundance although there appeared to be no obvious precursor-to-product relationship via simple decarboxylation reactions. Chlorins were partially converted into porphyrins. The phytyl side chain of pheophytin was initially preserved intact by reduction of the phytyl double bond, but later converted to a variety of isoprenoid compounds including alkanes. Thermal grafting of components onto kerogen occurred as well as structural changes caused by heat.
Document ID
19780034875
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Other - Collected Works
Authors
Baedecker, M. J.
(California Univ. Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Ikan, R.
(California Univ. Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Ishiwatari, R.
(California Univ. Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Kaplan, I. R.
(California, University Los Angeles, Calif., United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1977
Subject Category
Chemistry And Materials (General)
Accession Number
78A18784
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGR-05-007-221
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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