NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Phenols in hydrothermal petroleums and sediment bitumen from Guaymas Basin, Gulf of CaliforniaThe aliphatic, aromatic and polar (NSO) fractions of seabed petroleums and sediment bitumen extracts from the Guaymas Basin hydrothermal system have been analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (free and silylated). The oils were collected from the interiors and exteriors of high temperature hydrothermal vents and represent hydrothermal pyrolyzates that have migrated to the seafloor by hydrothermal fluid circulation. The downcore sediments are representative of both thermally unaltered and thermally altered sediments. The survey has revealed the presence of oxygenated compounds in samples with a high degree of thermal maturity. Phenols are one class of oxygenated compounds found in these samples. A group of methyl-, dimethyl- and trimethyl-isoprenoidyl phenols (C27-C29) is present in all of the seabed NSO fractions, with the methyl- and dimethyl-isoprenoidyl phenols occurring as major components, and a trimethyl-isoprenoidyl phenol as a minor component. A homologous series of n-alkylphenols (C13-C33) has also been found in the seabed petroleums. These phenols are most likely derived from the hydrothermal alteration of sedimentary organic matter. The n-alkylphenols are probably synthesized under hydrothermal conditions, but the isoprenoidyl phenols are probably hydrothermal alteration products of natural product precursors. The suites of phenols do not appear to be useful tracers of high temperature hydrothermal processes.
Document ID
20040089178
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Simoneit, B. R.
(Oregon State University Corvallis 97331, United States)
Leif, R. N.
Ishiwatari, R.
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1996
Publication Information
Publication: Organic geochemistry
Volume: 24
Issue: 3
ISSN: 0146-6380
Subject Category
Exobiology
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-4172
CONTRACT_GRANT: OCE-9002366
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Non-NASA Center
NASA Discipline Exobiology

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available