Pub Date : 2025-02-19DOI: 10.1016/j.orggeochem.2025.104963
Jaime Cesar , Julito Reyes , Omid H. Ardakani , Levi J. Knapp
A series of mudstones with varying organic sulfur content were subjected to hydrous pyrolysis and the produced oil and gas were analyzed. The samples come from the late Devonian Duvernay Formation (Canada), the late Miocene Onnagawa Formation (Japan), and the early Jurassic Gordondale Member of the Fernie Formation (Canada), in order of increasing organic sulfur content. Comparison of molecular parameters in the produced oils and residual extracts showed that these have almost identical values, with linear correlation near 1:1, except for polycyclic aromatics such as alkylphenanthrenes and alkyldibenzothiophenes. The excellent correlation suggests that in an ideal scenario, in the absence of long-distance migration, hydrocarbon mixing, and secondary alteration, produced oils and residual bitumen would have very similar molecular properties. In addition, for the same %VReqv, samples with higher sulfur content exhibit an apparent higher thermal maturity according to molecular ratios such as Pr/nC18 and C30Hopane/C30Moretane. Generated gases showed source effects on their molecular and carbon isotope composition for the maturity interval analyzed herein (0.57 to 1.42 % VReqv). H2S gas was generated only from the Gordondale samples and the isotope values are presented in this study.
{"title":"Molecular and isotope characterization of hydrocarbon products from organic-sulfur-rich mudstones during closed hydrous-pyrolysis","authors":"Jaime Cesar , Julito Reyes , Omid H. Ardakani , Levi J. Knapp","doi":"10.1016/j.orggeochem.2025.104963","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.orggeochem.2025.104963","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A series of mudstones with varying organic sulfur content were subjected to hydrous pyrolysis and the produced oil and gas were analyzed. The samples come from the late Devonian Duvernay Formation (Canada), the late Miocene Onnagawa Formation (Japan), and the early Jurassic Gordondale Member of the Fernie Formation (Canada), in order of increasing organic sulfur content. Comparison of molecular parameters in the produced oils and residual extracts showed that these have almost identical values, with linear correlation near 1:1, except for polycyclic aromatics such as alkylphenanthrenes and alkyldibenzothiophenes. The excellent correlation suggests that in an ideal scenario, in the absence of long-distance migration, hydrocarbon mixing, and secondary alteration, produced oils and residual bitumen would have very similar molecular properties. In addition, for the same %VR<sub>eqv</sub>, samples with higher sulfur content exhibit an apparent higher thermal maturity according to molecular ratios such as Pr/<em>n</em>C<sub>18</sub> and C<sub>30</sub>Hopane/C<sub>30</sub>Moretane. Generated gases showed source effects on their molecular and carbon isotope composition for the maturity interval analyzed herein (0.57 to 1.42 % VR<sub>eqv</sub>). H<sub>2</sub>S gas was generated only from the Gordondale samples and the isotope values are presented in this study.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":400,"journal":{"name":"Organic Geochemistry","volume":"202 ","pages":"Article 104963"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143438187","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-16DOI: 10.1016/j.orggeochem.2025.104950
Huiyuan Yang , Jiaquan Zhou , Jian Ma , Xingqian Cui
Emerging viewpoints suggest dynamic oceanic redox states and notable biotic turnovers in the early Paleozoic, but these aspects remain controversial and require further investigation. The Tarim Basin, which harbors significant marine hydrocarbon source rocks, records a typical phase of marine deposition of the early Paleozoic. In this study, we investigated biomarker compositions and patterns of selected rocks and crude oils of Early Cambrian to Late Ordovician ages from the Tarim Basin, China. Of particular importance are fossilized C40 aromatic carotenoids and their biogenic aryl isoprenoid derivatives, which originate specifically from phototrophic sulfur bacteria inhabiting the euxinic photic zone and are indicative of redox conditions of ancient oceans. The prevalence of 2,3,6-aryl isoprenoids and isorenieratane indicates a biological origin of green sulfur bacteria, implying that the Tarim Basin witnessed euxinia in the subsurface photic zone during a certain period of the early Paleozoic. Along with other biomarker-based proxies, especially steroids and hopanoids, our results from the Tarim Basin suggest the dominance of reducing oceanic water column in the early Cambrian and the late evolution of partially oxygenated water column.
{"title":"Aromatic carotenoids and their aryl isoprenoid derivatives in the early Paleozoic rocks and crude oils of the Tarim Basin, China","authors":"Huiyuan Yang , Jiaquan Zhou , Jian Ma , Xingqian Cui","doi":"10.1016/j.orggeochem.2025.104950","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.orggeochem.2025.104950","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Emerging viewpoints suggest dynamic oceanic redox states and notable biotic turnovers in the early Paleozoic, but these aspects remain controversial and require further investigation. The Tarim Basin, which harbors significant marine hydrocarbon source rocks, records a typical phase of marine deposition of the early Paleozoic. In this study, we investigated biomarker compositions and patterns of selected rocks and crude oils of Early Cambrian to Late Ordovician ages from the Tarim Basin, China. Of particular importance are fossilized C<sub>40</sub> aromatic carotenoids and their biogenic aryl isoprenoid derivatives, which originate specifically from phototrophic sulfur bacteria inhabiting the euxinic photic zone and are indicative of redox conditions of ancient oceans. The prevalence of 2,3,6-aryl isoprenoids and isorenieratane indicates a biological origin of green sulfur bacteria, implying that the Tarim Basin witnessed euxinia in the subsurface photic zone during a certain period of the early Paleozoic. Along with other biomarker-based proxies, especially steroids and hopanoids, our results from the Tarim Basin suggest the dominance of reducing oceanic water column in the early Cambrian and the late evolution of partially oxygenated water column.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":400,"journal":{"name":"Organic Geochemistry","volume":"202 ","pages":"Article 104950"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143422292","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-16DOI: 10.1016/j.orggeochem.2025.104952
Shiju Liu , Gang Gao , Xiangyun Shi , Wenzhe Gang , Baoli Xiang , Ming Wang , Wenzhi Zhao
This study investigates the effects of different types of primary organic matters on hydrocarbon generation and expulsion of source rocks. Samples representing three typical source rocks from the Lucaogou Formation in the Jimusaer Sag were collected and analyzed by hydrous pyrolysis, total organic carbon, Rock-Eval, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, organic petrology, and scanning electron microscopy. Distinct differences in crude oil biomarkers were observed between telalginite- and lamalginite-rich source rocks. Telalginite-rich source rocks exhibit higher abundances of pristane, phytane, β-carotane, gammacerane, and C29 regular steranes, while lamalginite-rich source rocks are characterized by enrichments of C24 tetracyclic terpane, C29 hopane, and C28 regular steranes. These biomarkers provide insights into the primary types of organic matter and their depositional environments with high water salinity of telalginite and low salinity of lamalginite. Hydrous pyrolysis results reveal that telalginite-rich source rocks demonstrate early hydrocarbon generation and a wider oil window than lamalginite-rich source rocks. Compared to lamalginite-rich source rocks, telalginite-rich source rocks produced better quality of crude oil, exhibit a smaller specific surface area of organic matter, and greater development of organic-inorganic pores, which contribute to their higher oil expulsion. These findings are helpful to the understanding of the constraints imposed by different primary organic matters on hydrocarbon generation and expulsion of the source rocks, and the insights have significant implications for exploration and development of the shale oil resources.
{"title":"Geochemical constraints on the hydrocarbon generation and expulsion in source rocks with different primary organic matter compositions: A case study on the Lucaogou Formation in the Jimusaer Sag, Junggar Basin, Northwest China","authors":"Shiju Liu , Gang Gao , Xiangyun Shi , Wenzhe Gang , Baoli Xiang , Ming Wang , Wenzhi Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.orggeochem.2025.104952","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.orggeochem.2025.104952","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates the effects of different types of primary organic matters on hydrocarbon generation and expulsion of source rocks. Samples representing three typical source rocks from the Lucaogou Formation in the Jimusaer Sag were collected and analyzed by hydrous pyrolysis, total organic carbon, Rock-Eval, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, organic petrology, and scanning electron microscopy. Distinct differences in crude oil biomarkers were observed between telalginite- and lamalginite-rich source rocks. Telalginite-rich source rocks exhibit higher abundances of pristane, phytane, <em>β</em>-carotane, gammacerane, and C<sub>29</sub> regular steranes, while lamalginite-rich source rocks are characterized by enrichments of C<sub>24</sub> tetracyclic terpane, C<sub>29</sub> hopane, and C<sub>28</sub> regular steranes. These biomarkers provide insights into the primary types of organic matter and their depositional environments with high water salinity of telalginite and low salinity of lamalginite. Hydrous pyrolysis results reveal that telalginite-rich source rocks demonstrate early hydrocarbon generation and a wider oil window than lamalginite-rich source rocks. Compared to lamalginite-rich source rocks, telalginite-rich source rocks produced better quality of crude oil, exhibit a smaller specific surface area of organic matter, and greater development of organic-inorganic pores, which contribute to their higher oil expulsion. These findings are helpful to the understanding of the constraints imposed by different primary organic matters on hydrocarbon generation and expulsion of the source rocks, and the insights have significant implications for exploration and development of the shale oil resources.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":400,"journal":{"name":"Organic Geochemistry","volume":"202 ","pages":"Article 104952"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143422291","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-10DOI: 10.1016/j.orggeochem.2024.104918
Zezhang Song , Ziyu Zhang , Bing Luo , Wenjin Zhang , Changqi Liu , Xingwang Tian , Dailin Yang , Luya Wu , Bingfei Ge , Shigui Jin , Jiutao Yuan
Ultra-deep natural gas is characterized by significant burial depth, high maturity, limited biomarkers, and complicated gas-source relationships. Ultra-deep gas accumulations generally underwent complex modifications during their long evolution, making it challenging to clarify the controlling factors of gas accumulation. This study focuses on gas accumulations in multiple (ultra-)deep marine carbonate strata, ranging from the Sinian Dengying (Z2dn) to the Permian Maokou (P2m) formations, in the Penglai gas area of the central Sichuan Basin. Using unsupervised machine learning algorithms, we conducted clustering analysis on natural gas composition and isotopes (δ13C and δ2H). Furthermore, we combined reservoir microscopic analysis, isotope data (δ13C of kerogen and solid bitumen; and δ18O, δ13C, and 87Sr/86Sr of dolomite), and fluid inclusion analysis to determine the main controlling factors that differentiate gas accumulation in multiple marine carbonate strata. The results indicate that: (1) Natural gases from Z2dn-P2m strata in the Penglai gas area are mainly dry gas (dryness > 0.996). Specifically, Z2dn natural gas exhibits high non-hydrocarbon content, low C2H6, δ13CC2H6, and δ2HCH4. Conversely, the Cambrian (Є) natural gas demonstrates the opposite characteristics. The natural gas in P2m has relatively high C2H6, greater δ13CC2H6 and δ2HCH4 values. (2) The natural gas from Z2dn-P2m in the Penglai gas area is oil-cracking gas and mainly sourced from Є1q. Due to maturity, hydrocarbon gases are dominated by CH4. He and N2 are from inorganic, deep Earth sources and show differential enrichment. Influenced by hydrothermal alteration and TSR, H2S and CO2 are enriched in Z2dn. The δ13CC2H6 in natural gas follows the order: Z2dn > P2m > Cambrian. The δ13CCH4 in natural gas follows the order: Z2dn ≥ P2m > Cambrian. (3) Overall, the Z2dn-P2m differential accumulation in the Penglai gas area is primarily influenced by various factors, including multiple source rocks, deep hydrothermal transformation, and strike-slip faults.
{"title":"Study on the main controlling factors on the differential accumulation of natural gas in multiple (ultra-)deeply-buried marine strata","authors":"Zezhang Song , Ziyu Zhang , Bing Luo , Wenjin Zhang , Changqi Liu , Xingwang Tian , Dailin Yang , Luya Wu , Bingfei Ge , Shigui Jin , Jiutao Yuan","doi":"10.1016/j.orggeochem.2024.104918","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.orggeochem.2024.104918","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ultra-deep natural gas is characterized by significant burial depth, high maturity, limited biomarkers, and complicated gas-source relationships. Ultra-deep gas accumulations generally underwent complex modifications during their long evolution, making it challenging to clarify the controlling factors of gas accumulation. This study focuses on gas accumulations in multiple (ultra-)deep marine carbonate strata, ranging from the Sinian Dengying (Z<sub>2</sub>dn) to the Permian Maokou (P<sub>2</sub>m) formations, in the Penglai gas area of the central Sichuan Basin. Using unsupervised machine learning algorithms, we conducted clustering analysis on natural gas composition and isotopes (δ<sup>13</sup>C and δ<sup>2</sup>H). Furthermore, we combined reservoir microscopic analysis, isotope data (δ<sup>13</sup>C of kerogen and solid bitumen; and δ<sup>18</sup>O, δ<sup>13</sup>C, and <sup>87</sup>Sr/<sup>86</sup>Sr of dolomite), and fluid inclusion analysis to determine the main controlling factors that differentiate gas accumulation in multiple marine carbonate strata. The results indicate that: (1) Natural gases from Z<sub>2</sub>dn-P<sub>2</sub>m strata in the Penglai gas area are mainly dry gas (dryness > 0.996). Specifically, Z<sub>2</sub>dn natural gas exhibits high non-hydrocarbon content, low C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>6</sub>, δ<sup>13</sup>C<sub>C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>6</sub></sub>, and δ<sup>2</sup>H<sub>CH<sub>4</sub></sub>. Conversely, the Cambrian (Є) natural gas demonstrates the opposite characteristics. The natural gas in P<sub>2</sub>m has relatively high C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>6</sub>, greater δ<sup>13</sup>C<sub>C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>6</sub></sub> and δ<sup>2</sup>H<sub>CH<sub>4</sub></sub> values. (2) The natural gas from Z<sub>2</sub>dn-P<sub>2</sub>m in the Penglai gas area is oil-cracking gas and mainly sourced from Є<sub>1</sub>q. Due to maturity, hydrocarbon gases are dominated by CH<sub>4</sub>. He and N<sub>2</sub> are from inorganic, deep Earth sources and show differential enrichment. Influenced by hydrothermal alteration and TSR, H<sub>2</sub>S and CO<sub>2</sub> are enriched in Z<sub>2</sub>dn. The δ<sup>13</sup>C<sub>C<sub>2</sub></sub><sub>H<sub>6</sub></sub> in natural gas follows the order: Z<sub>2</sub>dn > P<sub>2</sub>m > Cambrian. The δ<sup>13</sup>C<sub>CH<sub>4</sub></sub> in natural gas follows the order: Z<sub>2</sub>dn ≥ P<sub>2</sub>m > Cambrian. (3) Overall, the Z<sub>2</sub>dn-P<sub>2</sub>m differential accumulation in the Penglai gas area is primarily influenced by various factors, including multiple source rocks, deep hydrothermal transformation, and strike-slip faults.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":400,"journal":{"name":"Organic Geochemistry","volume":"201 ","pages":"Article 104918"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143378489","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-09DOI: 10.1016/j.orggeochem.2024.104921
Tian Liang , Feng Zhu , Zhao-Wen Zhan , Xiao-Hui Lin , Yan-Rong Zou , Ping’an Peng
Centrifugal swelling experiments using n-hexadecane and 1-methylnaphthalene were carried out to explore the connection between hydrocarbon retention and expulsion in type Ⅰ kerogen. A driving force-hydrocarbon expulsion model was innovatively established through the results of differential centrifugation experiments and low field nuclear magnetic resonance. Additionally, the hydrocarbon expulsion process of kerogen was categorized into three distinct stages based on the driving force, including free, intergranular state and immovable state (adsorption and swelling) hydrocarbon expulsion. A linear correlation also was established between the T1/T2 signal and the liquid hydrocarbon content during the swelling process, revealing that low-field NMR technology could effectively detect the retention of alkane compounds in kerogen. The study revealed that when the driving force is greater than 647.4 g N, most of the shale oil retained in the kerogen is in an immobile state, which cannot be exploited. Additionally, the hydrocarbon expulsion model based on the centrifugal experiment presents several advantages, including low equipment requirements, straightforward operation, and a broad range of applications. This model can effectively support various types of laboratories conducting shale oil retention assessment work, especially those in oilfields with relatively simple experimental setups.
{"title":"Study on hydrocarbon retention and expulsion of kerogen based on centrifugal swelling method","authors":"Tian Liang , Feng Zhu , Zhao-Wen Zhan , Xiao-Hui Lin , Yan-Rong Zou , Ping’an Peng","doi":"10.1016/j.orggeochem.2024.104921","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.orggeochem.2024.104921","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Centrifugal swelling experiments using <em>n</em>-hexadecane and 1-methylnaphthalene were carried out to explore the connection between hydrocarbon retention and expulsion in type Ⅰ kerogen. A driving force-hydrocarbon expulsion model was innovatively established through the results of differential centrifugation experiments and low field nuclear magnetic resonance. Additionally, the hydrocarbon expulsion process of kerogen was categorized into three distinct stages based on the driving force, including free, intergranular state and immovable state (adsorption and swelling) hydrocarbon expulsion. A linear correlation also was established between the T<sub>1</sub>/T<sub>2</sub> signal and the liquid hydrocarbon content during the swelling process, revealing that low-field NMR technology could effectively detect the retention of alkane compounds in kerogen. The study revealed that when the driving force is greater than 647.4 g N, most of the shale oil retained in the kerogen is in an immobile state, which cannot be exploited. Additionally, the hydrocarbon expulsion model based on the centrifugal experiment presents several advantages, including low equipment requirements, straightforward operation, and a broad range of applications. This model can effectively support various types of laboratories conducting shale oil retention assessment work, especially those in oilfields with relatively simple experimental setups.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":400,"journal":{"name":"Organic Geochemistry","volume":"201 ","pages":"Article 104921"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143373026","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-09DOI: 10.1016/j.orggeochem.2025.104948
Olumuyiwa T. Akinsanpe , Adebola O. Akinsanpe , Solomon A. Adekola , Oluwaseye P. Oyetade , Waheed G. Akande , Musa B. Usman , Abdulwahab M. Bello , Uzochukwu K. Benjamin , Adeniyi O. Olusanya , Chikezie Emele
The Devonian Period paleogeographic setting fostered the growth of diverse terrestrial and marine organisms, enhancing organic matter production and preserving terrestrial organic matter (TOM). Northern Scotland shows rock sequences with well-preserved TOM, including distinctive fossil plant fragments. The biomarker record of host rock-fossil plant system is notably fragmented. Nonetheless, the exposed outcrops of Old Red Sandstone in northern Scotland allow detailed sampling and biomarker analysis of the Devonian rocks and their co-existing fossil plants. The biomarker record of the host rocks and the co-occurring plant fossils show that the organic matter of the Rhynie Chert, Newton of Kinkell and Kerrera siltstones were derived from vascular plants. The plant biomarkers detected in the Rhynie Chert includes tetracyclic diterpenoids (kaurane and beyerane), cadalene and methylnaphthalene. These biomarkers except cadalene were also present in Den of Morphie samples, Achanarras Quarry, Kerrera plant and Newton of Kinkell siltstone-plant samples. The similarity in biomarker signatures between fossil plants and host rocks in Achanarras suggested a shared origin of organic matter. Also, the sulfur-rich euxinic conditions in the studied areas, the hydrothermal permineralization and presence of pyrite framboids in the Rhynie Chert preserved the organic matter. This was indicated by low Pr/Ph ratios and high sulfur content, enhancing preservation and reducing organic matter degradation. The study concluded that the biomarker record of the host rock-plant fossil system in northern Scotland aids the understanding of terrestrialization process and higher plant evolution in the Devonian.
{"title":"Biomarker signatures in host rocks and their co-occurring fossil plants from northern Scotland","authors":"Olumuyiwa T. Akinsanpe , Adebola O. Akinsanpe , Solomon A. Adekola , Oluwaseye P. Oyetade , Waheed G. Akande , Musa B. Usman , Abdulwahab M. Bello , Uzochukwu K. Benjamin , Adeniyi O. Olusanya , Chikezie Emele","doi":"10.1016/j.orggeochem.2025.104948","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.orggeochem.2025.104948","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Devonian Period paleogeographic setting fostered the growth of diverse terrestrial and marine organisms, enhancing organic matter production and preserving terrestrial organic matter (TOM). Northern Scotland shows rock sequences with well-preserved TOM, including distinctive fossil plant fragments. The biomarker record of host rock-fossil plant system is notably fragmented. Nonetheless, the exposed outcrops of Old Red Sandstone in northern Scotland allow detailed sampling and biomarker analysis of the Devonian rocks and their co-existing fossil plants. The biomarker record of the host rocks and the co-occurring plant fossils show that the organic matter of the Rhynie Chert, Newton of Kinkell and Kerrera siltstones were derived from vascular plants. The plant biomarkers detected in the Rhynie Chert includes tetracyclic diterpenoids (kaurane and beyerane), cadalene and methylnaphthalene. These biomarkers except cadalene were also present in Den of Morphie samples, Achanarras Quarry, Kerrera plant and Newton of Kinkell siltstone-plant samples. The similarity in biomarker signatures between fossil plants and host rocks in Achanarras suggested a shared origin of organic matter. Also, the sulfur-rich euxinic conditions in the studied areas, the hydrothermal permineralization and presence of pyrite framboids in the Rhynie Chert preserved the organic matter. This was indicated by low Pr/Ph ratios and high sulfur content, enhancing preservation and reducing organic matter degradation. The study concluded that the biomarker record of the host rock-plant fossil system in northern Scotland aids the understanding of terrestrialization process and higher plant evolution in the Devonian.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":400,"journal":{"name":"Organic Geochemistry","volume":"201 ","pages":"Article 104948"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143373025","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-09DOI: 10.1016/j.orggeochem.2024.104916
Luke M. Brosnan, Paul F. Greenwood, Peter Hopper, Kliti Grice
Molecular parameters based on the relative abundance of various sterane isomers contribute valuable information about sources and thermal history of organic-matter-rich sediments. However, this application is limited for 5β– and 5α–steranes due to their co-elution on common gas chromatography (GC) columns: e.g., relative retention index of 5β20R and 5α20S cholestanes on Agilent DB1 columns = 28.081 and 28.065, respectively. Selected ion monitoring (SIM) and tandem (MS/MS) mass spectral protocols were developed to improve the analytical resolution of these compounds, exploiting slight differences in mass fragmentation patterns. Protocols were optimised on a 1:1 mixture of authentic 5α20R and 5β20R cholestane standards (5α20R in place of 5α20S). Parameters offering 5α:5β selectivity (e.g., SIM: 149/151 Da; MRM: [149 → 79]/[151 → 79]) were tested on a suite of 5α20R:5β20R standards and show an excellent correlation (R2 > 0.99) with substrate composition. The capacity to quantify the relative contribution of co-eluting 5α20S and 5β20R in more complex samples was tested by analyses of a crude oil (Blina-4, Canning Basin, Western Australia) known to have high abundances of C27-29 5α20S steranes (20S/[20S + 20R] ≈ 0.5) and spiked with 5β20R cholestane. The relative proportions of 5α20S and 5β20R were determined using 5α20R:5β20R calibration curves with good consistency and accuracy. Values deviated from the target when either analyte was particularly dominant (≥80 %), probably due to differences in ion density compared to the resolved standards. This issue may be improved with further method refinement and the true sterane deconvolution value offered by this approach will become apparent with further application to a diverse range of samples.
{"title":"Protocols to assist deconvolution of co-eluting 5β– and 5α–steranes by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry","authors":"Luke M. Brosnan, Paul F. Greenwood, Peter Hopper, Kliti Grice","doi":"10.1016/j.orggeochem.2024.104916","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.orggeochem.2024.104916","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Molecular parameters based on the relative abundance of various sterane isomers contribute valuable information about sources and thermal history of organic-matter-rich sediments. However, this application is limited for 5β– and 5α–steranes due to their co-elution on common gas chromatography (GC) columns: e.g., relative retention index of 5β20<em>R</em> and 5α20<em>S</em> cholestanes on Agilent DB1 columns = 28.081 and 28.065, respectively. Selected ion monitoring (SIM) and tandem (MS/MS) mass spectral protocols were developed to improve the analytical resolution of these compounds, exploiting slight differences in mass fragmentation patterns. Protocols were optimised on a 1:1 mixture of authentic 5α20<em>R</em> and 5β20<em>R</em> cholestane standards (5α20<em>R</em> in place of 5α20<em>S</em>). Parameters offering 5α:5β selectivity (e.g., SIM: 149/151 Da; MRM: [149 → 79]/[151 → 79]) were tested on a suite of 5α20<em>R</em>:5β20<em>R</em> standards and show an excellent correlation (<em>R</em><sup>2</sup> > 0.99) with substrate composition. The capacity to quantify the relative contribution of co-eluting 5α20<em>S</em> and 5β20<em>R</em> in more complex samples was tested by analyses of a crude oil (Blina-4, Canning Basin, Western Australia) known to have high abundances of C<sub>27-29</sub> 5α20<em>S</em> steranes (20<em>S</em>/[20<em>S</em> + 20<em>R</em>] ≈ 0.5) and spiked with 5β20<em>R</em> cholestane. The relative proportions of 5α20<em>S</em> and 5β20<em>R</em> were determined using 5α20<em>R</em>:5β20<em>R</em> calibration curves with good consistency and accuracy. Values deviated from the target when either analyte was particularly dominant (≥80 %), probably due to differences in ion density compared to the resolved standards. This issue may be improved with further method refinement and the true sterane deconvolution value offered by this approach will become apparent with further application to a diverse range of samples.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":400,"journal":{"name":"Organic Geochemistry","volume":"201 ","pages":"Article 104916"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143373039","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-04DOI: 10.1016/j.orggeochem.2025.104947
Jingjing Guo , Louise Fuchs , Martin Ziegler , Youbin Sun , Francien Peterse
The 130,000-year long, high-resolution paleotemperature record obtained from branched glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (brGDGTs) stored in a loess-paleosol sequence from Yuanbao on the western Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP) does not follow global temperature variations, whereas these are recorded by traditional loess proxy records from the same section. Specifically, reconstructed temperatures are lowest during Marine Isotope Stage 5 (MIS5), even indicating colder interstadials than stadials, which contradict brGDGT-based records from other sections on the CLP. The overall low temperatures during wet periods may be explained by an increase in soil moisture availability, which dampens land surface temperatures by increasing the soil heat capacity. However, comparison of brGDGT distributions at Yuanbao with those in modern surface soils from the CLP and the global soil calibration dataset reveals a lack of modern analogues during the interval from ∼73 to 63 ka. Notably, the Isomer Ratio (IR) rapidly increases from 0.2 to 0.6 (corresponding to a pH shift of ∼2 units) during this period, indicating a drastic shift in the composition of the bacterial community that in turn may have influenced the MBT′5Me-temperature relationship. This community shift occurs after Chinese Stadial-20 around 73 ka, a weak monsoon event tentatively linked to oceanic reorganizations after the Toba eruption, suggesting that this drastic change in (hydro)climate might have impacted brGDGT producers. We thus recommend thoroughly assessing brGDGT distributions and understanding the environmental background prior to interpretating brGDGT-based temperatures in a paleoclimatic context.
{"title":"Assessing tetraether lipids as a paleotemperature proxy on western edge of the Chinese Loess Plateau: A cautionary tale","authors":"Jingjing Guo , Louise Fuchs , Martin Ziegler , Youbin Sun , Francien Peterse","doi":"10.1016/j.orggeochem.2025.104947","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.orggeochem.2025.104947","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The 130,000-year long, high-resolution paleotemperature record obtained from branched glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (brGDGTs) stored in a loess-paleosol sequence from Yuanbao on the western Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP) does not follow global temperature variations, whereas these are recorded by traditional loess proxy records from the same section. Specifically, reconstructed temperatures are lowest during Marine Isotope Stage 5 (MIS5), even indicating colder interstadials than stadials, which contradict brGDGT-based records from other sections on the CLP. The overall low temperatures during wet periods may be explained by an increase in soil moisture availability, which dampens land surface temperatures by increasing the soil heat capacity. However, comparison of brGDGT distributions at Yuanbao with those in modern surface soils from the CLP and the global soil calibration dataset reveals a lack of modern analogues during the interval from ∼73 to 63 ka. Notably, the Isomer Ratio (IR) rapidly increases from 0.2 to 0.6 (corresponding to a pH shift of ∼2 units) during this period, indicating a drastic shift in the composition of the bacterial community that in turn may have influenced the MBT′<sub>5Me</sub>-temperature relationship. This community shift occurs after Chinese Stadial-20 around 73 ka, a weak monsoon event tentatively linked to oceanic reorganizations after the Toba eruption, suggesting that this drastic change in (hydro)climate might have impacted brGDGT producers. We thus recommend thoroughly assessing brGDGT distributions and understanding the environmental background prior to interpretating brGDGT-based temperatures in a paleoclimatic context.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":400,"journal":{"name":"Organic Geochemistry","volume":"201 ","pages":"Article 104947"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143145071","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-01DOI: 10.1016/j.orggeochem.2024.104927
Fu Wang , Yuhong Liao , Chang Samuel Hsu
Flash pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC–MS) is seldom used to release bound biomarkers, because its hydrogen-poor pyrolysis conditions usually result in a low yield of bound biomarkers and high concentrations of olefins. In this study, by using a Py-GC–MS system and immature kerogen/coal samples, we investigated the effects of heating rate (flash versus 30 °C/min), carrier/reaction gas (He versus H2), hydrogen pressure, and catalyst [(NH4)2MoO2S2] on the yields and distributions of bound biomarkers. Also, the bound biomarkers obtained by different pyrolysis conditions were compared with those from catalytic offline hydropyrolysis (HyPy) and free biomarkers from extracted organic matter (EOM). We propose a new technology of hydropyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HyPy-GC–MS) to be used to release bound biomarkers. HyPy-GC–MS using low-pressure H2 at slow heating rate can increase the yield of bound biomarkers by 3–9 times, minimize the cracking of the hopanes side chain, better preserve the original sterane and terpane distributions, and have characteristics of lower maturity, compared with conventional flash Py-GC–MS without H2. Additionally, the steroidal and terpenoid yields by HyPy-GC–MS using low-pressure H2 at slow heating rate from immature kerogens were 3–6 times that by HyPy. Compared with EOM, biomarker maturity parameter derived from HyPy-GC–MS may not fully represent the actual maturity of samples. Higher hydrogen pressure can significantly facilitate the hydrogenation of unsaturated hydrocarbons into saturated hydrocarbons, but it can also decrease the yields of pyrolysates with higher carbon numbers (i.e., >C25), leading to a change in the biomarker ratios related to carbon numbers (e.g., the proportion of C27-C28-C29 ααα20R steranes and TT23/H30 ratio).
{"title":"On-line hydropyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HyPy-GC–MS) for kerogen-bound biomarkers","authors":"Fu Wang , Yuhong Liao , Chang Samuel Hsu","doi":"10.1016/j.orggeochem.2024.104927","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.orggeochem.2024.104927","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Flash pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC–MS) is seldom used to release bound biomarkers, because its hydrogen-poor pyrolysis conditions usually result in a low yield of bound biomarkers and high concentrations of olefins. In this study, by using a Py-GC–MS system and immature kerogen/coal samples, we investigated the effects of heating rate (flash versus 30 °C/min), carrier/reaction gas (He versus H<sub>2</sub>), hydrogen pressure, and catalyst [(NH<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>MoO<sub>2</sub>S<sub>2</sub>] on the yields and distributions of bound biomarkers. Also, the bound biomarkers obtained by different pyrolysis conditions were compared with those from catalytic offline hydropyrolysis (HyPy) and free biomarkers from extracted organic matter (EOM). We propose a new technology of hydropyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HyPy-GC–MS) to be used to release bound biomarkers. HyPy-GC–MS using low-pressure H<sub>2</sub> at slow heating rate can increase the yield of bound biomarkers by 3–9 times, minimize the cracking of the hopanes side chain, better preserve the original sterane and terpane distributions, and have characteristics<!--> <!-->of lower maturity, compared with conventional flash Py-GC–MS without H<sub>2</sub>. Additionally, the steroidal and terpenoid yields by HyPy-GC–MS using low-pressure H<sub>2</sub> at slow heating rate from immature kerogens were 3–6 times that by HyPy. Compared with EOM, biomarker maturity parameter derived from HyPy-GC–MS may not fully represent the actual maturity of samples. Higher hydrogen pressure can significantly facilitate the hydrogenation of unsaturated hydrocarbons into saturated hydrocarbons, but it can also decrease the yields of pyrolysates with higher carbon numbers (i.e., >C<sub>25</sub>), leading to a change in the biomarker ratios related to carbon numbers (e.g., the proportion of C<sub>27</sub>-C<sub>28</sub>-C<sub>29</sub> ααα20R steranes and TT<sub>23</sub>/H<sub>30</sub> ratio).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":400,"journal":{"name":"Organic Geochemistry","volume":"200 ","pages":"Article 104927"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143176264","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-01DOI: 10.1016/j.orggeochem.2024.104925
Peng Cheng , Yuhao Ren , Haifeng Gai , Shangli Liu , Tao Cheng , Hui Tian
Crude oils generally contain drimane-skeleton compounds, but the uncertainty of the main factors controlling drimane distributions limits their effective geological applications, especially in complex petroleum systems. In this study, the drimane-skeleton compound composition and the relative content of each drimane-skeleton compound to C30 hopane (CDSC) were systematically studied for crude oils in different structural regions of the Western Pearl River Mouth (WPRM) Basin, South China Sea. The results show that the CDSC of crude oil is mainly controlled by its organic sources. Higher CDSC values in crude oil indicates a greater contribution from terrigenous organic matter to their source rocks. For crude oils from source rocks with similar biotic inputs, the CDSC values are controlled mainly by the depositional environment. Higher CDSC values in crude oil correspond to higher concentrations of clay minerals and lower salinities. In addition, the drimane-skeleton compound composition of crude oil is largely controlled by its maturity. The ratios of drimane to homodrimane (Dr/HDr), total rearranged drimane to total drimane and homodrimane (TRDr/TDr), and 8-rearranged drimane to 9-rearranged drimane (8RDr/9RDr) synchronously increase with increasing maturity. These ratios can effectively characterize the maturity of various types of crude oils. The maturity range characterized by the drimane maturity parameters is greater than that characterized by conventional maturity parameters. Correlation diagrams based on drimane parameters and other organic geochemical parameters can be used to classify crude oils and reveal their sources and origins, which has great application potential in complex petroliferous basins, especially in deep and ultra-deep petroleum systems with abundant light oil/condensate.
{"title":"Controlling factors and geological applications of the drimane-skeleton compound content and composition of crude oils in complex petroleum systems: New insights from the Western Pearl River Mouth Basin, South China Sea","authors":"Peng Cheng , Yuhao Ren , Haifeng Gai , Shangli Liu , Tao Cheng , Hui Tian","doi":"10.1016/j.orggeochem.2024.104925","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.orggeochem.2024.104925","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Crude oils generally contain drimane-skeleton compounds, but the uncertainty of the main factors controlling drimane distributions limits their effective geological applications, especially in complex petroleum systems. In this study, the drimane-skeleton compound composition and the relative content of each drimane-skeleton compound to C<sub>30</sub> hopane (C<sub>DSC</sub>) were systematically studied for crude oils in different structural regions of the Western Pearl River Mouth (WPRM) Basin, South China Sea. The results show that the C<sub>DSC</sub> of crude oil is mainly controlled by its organic sources. Higher C<sub>DSC</sub> values in crude oil indicates a greater contribution from terrigenous organic matter to their source rocks. For crude oils from source rocks with similar biotic inputs, the C<sub>DSC</sub> values are controlled mainly by the depositional environment. Higher C<sub>DSC</sub> values in crude oil correspond to higher concentrations of clay minerals and lower salinities. In addition, the drimane-skeleton compound composition of crude oil is largely controlled by its maturity. The ratios of drimane to homodrimane (Dr/HDr), total rearranged drimane to total drimane and homodrimane (TRDr/TDr), and 8-rearranged drimane to 9-rearranged drimane (8RDr/9RDr) synchronously increase with increasing maturity. These ratios can effectively characterize the maturity of various types of crude oils. The maturity range characterized by the drimane maturity parameters is greater than that characterized by conventional maturity parameters. Correlation diagrams based on drimane parameters and other organic geochemical parameters can be used to classify crude oils and reveal their sources and origins, which has great application potential in complex petroliferous basins, especially in deep and ultra-deep petroleum systems with abundant light oil/condensate.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":400,"journal":{"name":"Organic Geochemistry","volume":"200 ","pages":"Article 104925"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143175325","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}