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Geochemistry of lipids

  • Technical
  • Symposium: Lipids of the Past and Present Conducted by the American Oil Chemists' Society at Its 56th Annual Meeting, Houston, Texas April 25–28, 1965
  • Published:
Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society

Abstract

Lipids, particularly the glycerides, terpenes, sterols, and hydrocarbons, have properties conducive to their preservation either in original or transformed state and are significant constitutents of the geochemical biomass. The occurrence of phytane, pristane, and fatty acids in Precambrian sedimentary rocks 2.7 billion years old has been interpreted to indicate the existence of life processes similar to those that are operative today.

The stability of lipids is highly variable. Sterols, terpenes, fatty acids, esters, and hydrocarbons have been isolated from ancient sedimentary rocks; there is evidence, however, that esters may hydrolyze. Under certain conditions, highly unsaturated fatty acids may undergo combined biochemical and chemical transformations that lead to the formation of petroleum hydrocarbons.

Lipids found in geological environments are derived from contributing organisms, which represent specific ecologies. Study of the ultimate products derived from these lipids permits an understanding of the geochemical environments in which they were produced, and of the transformations that occurred.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. U.S. Geological Survey, Washington, D.C.

    Irving A. Breger

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  1. Irving A. Breger
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Publication authorized by the Director, U.S. Geological Survey.

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Breger, I.A. Geochemistry of lipids. J Am Oil Chem Soc 43, 197–202 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02641087

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02641087

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