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Title: Petroleum generation and migration in submarine hydrothermal systems; An overview

Abstract

The conversion of organic matter to petroleum by hydrothermal activity is an easy process,occurring in nature in many types of environments. Geologically immature organic matter of mariner sediments is being altered by this process in Guaymas Basin (Gulf of California), Escanaba Trough and Middle Valley (northeast Pacific), Bransfield Strait (Antarctica), and Atlantis II and Kebrit Deeps (Red Sea). Contemporary organic detritus and viable microorganisms are also converted in part to petroleum-like products by the same process when present to become entrained, as for example on the East Pacific Rise at 13{degrees}N and 21{degrees}N and on the mid-Atlantic Ridge at 26{degrees}N. The hydrocarbon products (methane to asphalt) generated in all these areas have been elucidated in terms of composition, organic matter sources, and analogy to reservoir petroleum. This petroleum represents a major input of carbon to the primary chemosynthetic productivity of hydrothermal vent systems and may be important to interactions with metals in hydrothermal ore formation.

Authors:
 [1]
  1. College of Oceanography, Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, OR (US)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
7088340
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Mining Engineering (Littleton, Colorado); (USA)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 42:3; Journal ID: ISSN 0026-5187
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
02 PETROLEUM; 42 ENGINEERING; HYDROTHERMAL SYSTEMS; REVIEWS; PETROLEUM GEOLOGY; SEAS; SEDIMENTS; CHEMICAL COMPOSITION; MID-ATLANTIC RIDGE; ORGANIC MATTER; RESOURCES; DOCUMENT TYPES; ENERGY SYSTEMS; GEOLOGY; GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS; SURFACE WATERS; 020200* - Petroleum- Reserves, Geology, & Exploration; 423000 - Engineering- Marine Engineering- (1980-); 023000 - Petroleum- Properties & Composition

Citation Formats

Simoneit, B R.T. Petroleum generation and migration in submarine hydrothermal systems; An overview. United States: N. p., 1990. Web.
Simoneit, B R.T. Petroleum generation and migration in submarine hydrothermal systems; An overview. United States.
Simoneit, B R.T. 1990. "Petroleum generation and migration in submarine hydrothermal systems; An overview". United States.
@article{osti_7088340,
title = {Petroleum generation and migration in submarine hydrothermal systems; An overview},
author = {Simoneit, B R.T.},
abstractNote = {The conversion of organic matter to petroleum by hydrothermal activity is an easy process,occurring in nature in many types of environments. Geologically immature organic matter of mariner sediments is being altered by this process in Guaymas Basin (Gulf of California), Escanaba Trough and Middle Valley (northeast Pacific), Bransfield Strait (Antarctica), and Atlantis II and Kebrit Deeps (Red Sea). Contemporary organic detritus and viable microorganisms are also converted in part to petroleum-like products by the same process when present to become entrained, as for example on the East Pacific Rise at 13{degrees}N and 21{degrees}N and on the mid-Atlantic Ridge at 26{degrees}N. The hydrocarbon products (methane to asphalt) generated in all these areas have been elucidated in terms of composition, organic matter sources, and analogy to reservoir petroleum. This petroleum represents a major input of carbon to the primary chemosynthetic productivity of hydrothermal vent systems and may be important to interactions with metals in hydrothermal ore formation.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/7088340}, journal = {Mining Engineering (Littleton, Colorado); (USA)},
issn = {0026-5187},
number = ,
volume = 42:3,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1990},
month = {Thu Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1990}
}