Alternative origin of aliphatic polymer in kerogen

Abstract

Research Article| June 01, 2000 Alternative origin of aliphatic polymer in kerogen B.A. Stankiewicz; B.A. Stankiewicz 1Biogeochemistry Research Centre, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Queen's Road, Bristol BS8 1RJ, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar D.E.G. Briggs; D.E.G. Briggs 2Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Queen's Road, Bristol BS8 1RJ, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar R. Michels; R. Michels 3UMR 7566 G2R CREGU, Université Henri Poincaré, Faculté des Sciences, BP239, 54501 Vandoeuvre les Nancy, France Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar M.E. Collinson; M.E. Collinson 4Department of Geology, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar M.B. Flannery; M.B. Flannery 5Organic Geochemistry Unit, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar R.P. Evershed R.P. Evershed 5Organic Geochemistry Unit, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information B.A. Stankiewicz 1Biogeochemistry Research Centre, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Queen's Road, Bristol BS8 1RJ, UK D.E.G. Briggs 2Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Queen's Road, Bristol BS8 1RJ, UK R. Michels 3UMR 7566 G2R CREGU, Université Henri Poincaré, Faculté des Sciences, BP239, 54501 Vandoeuvre les Nancy, France M.E. Collinson 4Department of Geology, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK M.B. Flannery 5Organic Geochemistry Unit, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK R.P. Evershed 5Organic Geochemistry Unit, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 03 Dec 1999 Revision Received: 13 Mar 2000 Accepted: 29 Mar 2000 First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (2000) 28 (6): 559–562. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2000)28<559:AOOAPI>2.0.CO;2 Article history Received: 03 Dec 1999 Revision Received: 13 Mar 2000 Accepted: 29 Mar 2000 First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation B.A. Stankiewicz, D.E.G. Briggs, R. Michels, M.E. Collinson, M.B. Flannery, R.P. Evershed; Alternative origin of aliphatic polymer in kerogen. Geology 2000;; 28 (6): 559–562. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2000)28<559:AOOAPI>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The origin of sedimentary organic matter (kerogen) has been attributed to random recombination reactions of biological components in sediments or to selective preservation of decay-resistant macromolecules. Neither hypothesis explains the aliphatic composition of the cuticle of fossil arthropods. Thermal maturation experiments on modern arthropods, involving confined pyrolysis at 250–360 °C, degrade the chitin-protein complex of the cuticle and transform free aliphatic components into a polymeric structure. The results of the application of electron microscopy and spectroscopic methods to modern, thermally matured, and fossil arthropod cuticles indicate that in situ polymerization of free and ester-bound cuticular lipids can lead to kerogen formation. Thus, fossil arthropod fragments can contribute to sedimentary organic matter. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.