Abstract
Extractable lipids represent 12% of the total organic matter contained in Youssoufla rock phosphate. This soluble organic matter corresponds mainly to free, directly extractable lipids. They are dominantly neutral lipids (neutral/acid fraction ratio: 1.5). Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric studies showed for the alkanes a bimodal distribution C 15C 21 and C 22C 33 dominated, respectively, by C 18 and C 27. The dominant hopanes were identified under the thermodynamically stable αβ-form, αββ-steranes were also present with the non-diagenetic ααα- and βαα-steranes. Phytane and pristane deriving from the transformation of chlorophyll chains were also identified. Acids were saturated linear C 12C 30 acids with a predominance of the C 16 and C 18 members, unsaturated C 16:1 and C 18:1 acids and even dicarboxylic acids. The results obtained suggest that the organic matter present in the phosphate has a marine origin with a significant continental contribution.
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