Arabian Journal of Geosciences

, Volume 7, Issue 1, pp 369–383 | Cite as

The advantages of using n-alkanes, triterpane, and steranes to determine the characterization of sedimentary organic matter

Original Paper
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Abstract

The current geochemical study of n-alkanes, steranes, and triterpanes in bitumen from the Late Maastrichtian–Paleocene El Haria organic-rich facies in West of Gafsa, southern Tunisia, was performed in order to characterize with accuracy their geochemical pattern. The type of organic matter as deduced from n-alkanes, steranes, and triterpanes distributions is type II/III mixed oil/gas prone organic matter. Isoprenoids and biomarkers maturity parameters (i.e., T s/T m, 22S/(22S + 22R) of the C31 αβ-hopanes ratios, 20S/(20R + 20S) and ββ/(ββ + αα) of C29 steranes), revel that the organic-rich facies were deposited during enhanced anoxic conditions in southern Tunisa. The organic matter is placed prior to the peak stage of the conventional oil window (end of diagenesis–beginning of catagenesis). All these result are suggested by total organic carbon analysis, bitumen extraction and liquid chromatography data. Thus, the n-alkanes, triterpane, and steranes study remains valuable and practical for geochemical characterization of sedimentary organic matter.

Keywords

Southern Tunisia Organic matter n-alkanes/steranes/triterpanes 
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Notes

Acknowledgments

We are deeply indebted to Dr. M. Kallel from L.A.R.S.E.N (Sfax, Tunisia) for his assistance in the laboratory and with GC/MS analysis. We are also grateful to Dr. B. BOUJLEL from C.P.G (Gafsa, Tunisia) for C.O.T analysis. Financial support for this study was provided by Research Unit “Macromolecular Biochemistry and Genetic: B.M.G 05/UR/09-14.” Thanks are also due to anonymous reviewers.

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Copyright information

© Saudi Society for Geosciences 2012

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Research Unit of Macromolecular Biochemistry and Genetics, B.MG. 05/UR/09-14, Sciences Faculty, Department of Earth SciencesUniversity of GafsaGafsaTunisia

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