Occurrence and origin of mono-, di-, and trimethylalkanes in modern and Holocene cyanobacterial mats from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Institut Francais du Petrole, Rueil Malmaison (France)
- Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Texel (Netherlands); and others
n-Alkanes, highly branched isoprenoids, monomethylalkanes (MMAs), dimethyalkanes (DMAs), and trimethylalkanes (TMAs) are the most abundant components in the hydrocarbon fractions of extracts of four modern and two Holocene cyanobacterial mats ({approximately}1500 and 5110 {+-} 170 y BP) collected in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates). The homologous families of MMAs, DMAs, and TMAs were identified by comparison of mass spectral and relative retention time data with published data. DMAs were also identified by synthesis of authentic standards, 3,9-dimethyltricosane, 5,9-dimethyltricosane, and 11,15-dimethylheptacosane. MMAs, DMAs, and TMAs of the cyanobacterial mats can be separated into two groups on the basis of their distribution patterns and structures. MMAs and DMAs in the C{sub 16}-C{sub 22} range are characterized by methyl substituents mainly located at C-6 (or {omega}6) and C-7 (or {omega}7) and are derived from cyanobacteria. They are relatively abundant components in the modern cyanobacterial mats, but with increasing age of the mats they become much less abundant. On the contrary MMAs, DMAs, and TMAs in the C{sub 24}-C{sub 45} range are exclusively found in the Holocene cyanobacterial mats. Their longest chains mainly contain an odd number of carbon atoms and they always carry the methyl substituents at odd numbered carbon atoms. The similarity in composition of this very specific group of branched alkanes with that encountered in insect epicuticular waxes suggests that these sedimentary hydrocarbons originate from insects, which probably grazed on the cyanobacterial mats.
- OSTI ID:
- 90851
- Journal Information:
- Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, Vol. 59, Issue 14; Other Information: PBD: Jul 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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