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Computer simulation of the transformation of natural living matter into kerogen

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Abstract

Thermodynamic simulation of the system living matter (algae, zooplankton, or green plants) + mineral matter (25% carbonates + 75% clay minerals) + standard seawater at temperatures and pressure corresponding to diagenesis indicates that kerogen can be synthesized, together with hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide, in the reaction mix. The removal of CO2(g) and N2(g) from the system is favorable for the reaction Δ1C292H288O12 (s; H/C = 0.99, O/C = 0.041) → Δ2C128H68O7 (s; H/C = 0.53, O/C = 0.055) + xСH4(aq) + yCO2(aq) + zH2O, whose constant and stoichiometric coefficients were calculated based on the simulation results. It is demonstrated that a pressure increase is favorable, while a temperature increase is not, for the procedure of this reaction at P-T parameters of diagenesis: log K =–567 (20°C, 35 bar), 1170 (20°C, 200 bar),–1530 (20°C, 60 bar), and +1030 (20°C, 600 bar).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Kosygina 19, Moscow, 119991, Russia

    B. N. Ryzhenko, E. S. Sidkina & E. V. Cherkasova

  2. Geological Faculty, Moscow State University, Leninskie gory, Moscow, 119991, Russia

    E. S. Sidkina

Authors
  1. B. N. Ryzhenko
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  2. E. S. Sidkina
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  3. E. V. Cherkasova
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Correspondence to B. N. Ryzhenko.

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Original Russian Text © B.N. Ryzhenko, E.S. Sidkina, E.V. Cherkasova, 2016, published in Geokhimiya, 2016, No. 8, pp. 734–739.

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Ryzhenko, B.N., Sidkina, E.S. & Cherkasova, E.V. Computer simulation of the transformation of natural living matter into kerogen. Geochem. Int. 54, 706–711 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0016702916080115

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0016702916080115

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