Changes in kerogen composition across an oxidation front in Madeira Abyssal Plain turbidites as revealed by pyrolysis GC-MS

Abstract

Isolated kerogens from Madeira Abyssal Plain turbidite samples were qualitatively and semiquantitatively studied by means of analytical pyrolysis for the effect of oxygen exposure on organic matter preservation. The initial organic matter in the turbidite is very homogeneous and relatively high and offers an ideal case for the study of oxygen effects on organic matter preservation without the usual complications of varying sources or sedimentation rates and bioturbation. From all four studied turbidites, one sample from the oxidized part of the turbidite was compared with two samples from the unoxidized part. The aliphatic character of the kerogens after postdepositional oxidation has increased significantly, as revealed by the abundance of the n-alkanes and n-alk-1-enes in the oxidized turbidite. At the same time, the contribution of the isoprenoid alkanes and alkenes and the alkylthiophenes to the pyrolysate has decreased significantly. The relative abundances of alkylbenzenes, alkylnaphthalenes,alkylphenols, alkylindenes, and alkan-2-ones in the pyrolysates have remained relatively constant upon oxidation. The alkylbenzene, alkylphenol, alkylnaphthalene, n-alkane, and n-alk-1-ene, isoprenoid alkane, and alkene internal distributions are substantially altered in the oxidized samples. This study shows that postdepositional oxidation of sedimentary organic matter by oxygen is far more severe than by sulfate alone. Furthermore, it is clear that oxidation of the organic matter is, to a significant degree, selective.