Organic geochemistry of marine sediments in Antarctic region: marine lipids in McMurdo Sound
The compositions of resolvable lipid components from four sediment cores (0-90 cm) of McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, have been examined. The various lipid components occur in the following order of abundance: sterols approx. = n-fatty acids > n-alcohols > n-alkanes > PAH. The data indicate that the organic matter is mainly derived from recycled kerogen mixed with modern marine input. The distribution of lipids and lignin analyses indicate that there is little recognizable higher plant debris in the sediments. The sediments contain unaltered biogenic triterpenoids, and there is no evidence for natural and/or anthropogenic petroleum influx in the region. Aeolian transport of organic carbon from the continents appears to be negligible. The dominance of labile alkenes (C/sub 25/ compounds) and hopenes and the presence of unsaturated fatty acids down to a depth of 90 cm reflect a very early diagenetic stage. The persistent cold climate has probably helped in the better preservation of these labile lipids in the water column and in the young sediments. Diploptene (17..beta..(H),21..beta..(H)-hop-22(29)-ene) appears to originate from autochthonous marine productivity in McMurdo Sound. 111 references.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of California, Los Angeles, (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AS03-76EV70134
- OSTI ID:
- 5269936
- Journal Information:
- Org. Geochem.; (United States), Vol. 12:1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Antarctic benthic and sea-ice microalgal interactions: food chain processes and physiology
Molecular evidence for degradation and preservation of organic matter in the anoxic Black Sea Basin
Related Subjects
ANTARCTIC REGIONS
SEDIMENTS
LIGNIN
DISTRIBUTION
LIPIDS
GEOCHEMISTRY
ALCOHOLS
ALKANES
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CLIMATES
HYDROCARBONS
KEROGEN
ORGANIC MATTER
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
SEAS
STEROLS
AROMATICS
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBOHYDRATES
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMISTRY
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
MATERIALS
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLAR REGIONS
POLYSACCHARIDES
SACCHARIDES
STEROIDS
SURFACE WATERS
020200* - Petroleum- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration