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Organic reactions as indicators of the burial and temperature histories of sedimentary sequences

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2018

A. S. Mackenzie
A. S. Mackenzie*
Affiliation:
Geochemistry Branch, BP Research Centre, Chertsey Road, Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex TW16 7LN
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Abstract

Three organic reactions which affect individual compounds present in most organic-rich sedimentary rocks have been identified—configurational isomerization and aromatization of steroid hydrocarbons, and configurational isomerization of hopanes. The extents to which these reactions have occurred can be assessed by gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of the organic extracts of the sediment samples; they provide sensitive indicators of thermal maturation. When combined with the model of sedimentary basin formation by extension of the lithosphere, this molecular approach to the maturation of organic material can be used to constrain the temperature-time histories of sedimentary sequences. This temperature history may be used to integrate the relevant Arrhenius’ and rate equations governing the reaction rates. Each rate equation has three constants—the activation energy, frequency factor and the ratio of forward reaction to backward reaction. These have been estimated using analyses of samples whose temperature-time history is well constrained. The resulting estimates can then be used to reconstruct the temperature-time histories of other samples from organic geochemical data, e.g. calculation of the amount and timing of uplift.

Type
Research Article
Information
Clay Minerals , Volume 19 , Issue 3 , June 1984 , pp. 271 - 286
Copyright
Copyright © The Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland 1984

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