The Characteristics of Organic Matter from the Triassic Clays of nw Margin of the Holy Cross Mts (Poland) — Preliminary Report

Leszek Marynowski,Sławomir Kurkiewicz,Piotr Wyszomirski

doi:10.2478/v10002-007-0003-z

Abstract

The Characteristics of Organic Matter from the Triassic Clays of nw Margin of the Holy Cross Mts (Poland) — Preliminary ReportThe molecular character of organic matter in Triassic clays on the NW border of the Holy Cross Mts was determined in apolar, aromatic and polar fractions of extractable organic matter (OM) using GC-MS analysis. The contribution of terrestrial higher plants to the kerogene is revealed by the dominant presence of odd long-chain n-alkanes and by the occurrence of retene. Benzophenone, fluorenone, cyclopenta(def)phenanthrenone, antracenone and benzanthrone were among the compounds identified in polar fractions of the soluble organic matter. These commonly originate during strong oxidation of sedimentary organic matter. The aromatic fraction is characterised by the presence of phenyl derivatives (PhPAC) such as phenylnaphthalenes, terphenyls, phenyldibenzofurans and phenylphenanthrenes that are also products of the abiotic oxidation of organic matter. The oxidation processes that occurred during sedimentation and during early diagenesis resulted in a very significant decrease in the organic matter content in the clays. This decrease considerably influences their technological properties.

Highlights

The problem of organic matter in clay raw materials used by the ceramic industry has been one of great importance over recent years
It is assumed that the organic matter in raw material for wall and paving tiles produced in a single fast firing, expressed as elemental carbon, should be lower than 0.3 wt.%
Total organic matter (TOC) in the kaolin from the Kalno (Lower Silesia) deposit amounts to approx. 1.5 wt.% (Sikora et al 1978)

Summary

INTRODUCTION

The problem of organic matter in clay raw materials used by the ceramic industry has been one of great importance over recent years. It is assumed that the organic matter in raw material for wall and paving tiles produced in a single fast firing, expressed as elemental carbon, should be lower than 0.3 wt.% (de la Torre et al 1996). To-date, the literature concerning Polish clay rocks and clay raw materials contains few reports on organic matter occurring in elevated amounts. The organic matter occurring in these clays has not, as yet, been characterized in compositional terms either quantitatively or qualitatively. This paper presents data on the general character of the organic matter in the Triassic red clays (samples: Che3sty 444, Baranów 947, Kozów 873) and in grey and green lenses and intercalations (samples: Che3sty 449, Kozów 869). The molecular composition of extractable organic matter has been analysed for those organic compounds (including biomarkers) that characterize the source of this matter and the level of its thermal maturity

SAMPLES AND METHODS

BULK GEOCHEMICAL DATA

MOLECULAR COMPOSITION OF ORGANIC MATTER

CONCLUSIONS