Low temperature hydrothermal maturation of organic matter in sediments form the Atlantis II Deep, Red Sea

Journal Article · Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1987 · Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(87)90101-3· OSTI ID:7229887

Simoneit, B R; Grimalt, J O; Hayes, J M; Hartman, H

Hydrocarbons and bulk organic matter of two sediment cores located within the Atlantis II Deep have been analyzed. Although the brines overlying the coring areas were reported to be sterile, microbial inputs and minor terrestrial sources represent the major sedimentary organic material. This input is derived from the upper water column above the brines. Both steroid and triterpenoid hydrocarbons show that extensive acid-catalyzed reactions are occurring in the sediments. In comparison with other hydrothermal or intrusive systems, the Atlantis II Deep exhibits a lower degree of thermal maturation. This is easily deduced from the elemental composition of the kerogens and the absence of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons of a pyrolytic origin in the bitumen. The lack of carbon number preference among the n-alkanes suggests, especially in the case of the long chain homologs, that the organic matter of Atlantis II Deep sediments has undergone some degree catagenesis. However, the yields of hydrocarbons are much lower than those observed in other hydrothermal areas. The effect of lower temperature and poor source-rock characteristics appear to be responsible for the differences.

• Research Organization: Oregon State Univ., Corvallis (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7229887
• Journal Information: Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta; (United States), Vol. 51:4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
GEOCHEMISTRY
HYDROCARBONS
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