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Organic Geochemistry pp 271–287Cite as

Determination of Structural Components of Kerogens by the Use of Analytical Pyrolysis Methods

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Part of the book series: Topics in Geobiology ((TGBI,volume 11))

Abstract

Kerogen, defined as organic material in sedimentary rocks that is insoluble in common organic solvents, alkali, and nonoxidizing acids, represents the major organic carbon reservoir in the Earth’s crust. The chemical composition of kerogen is a complex function of its biochemical source-related mechanical composition (macerai composition) and diagenetic modification (both facies related) and its degree of thermal evolution (maturity level). Bulk chemical analysis has been most useful in providing generalized chemical descriptions of kerogens. However, the detailed molecular configuration of a kerogen cannot be obtained from its bulk chemistry due to the isomeric complexity possible with high-molecularweight macromolecules. Many sophisticated chemical degradation (including pyrolysis) and spectroscopic techniques have therefore been applied to the structural characterization of kerogen (see Durand, 1980). Some of the techniques most commonly applied today are those involving analytical pyrolysis methods, and it is those we discuss here.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Newcastle Research Group in Fossil Fuels & Environmental Geochemistry, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, England

    S. R. Larter

  2. Institute of Petroleum and Organic Geochemistry (ICG-4), KFA-Jülich GmbH, D-5170, Jülich, Germany

    B. Horsfield

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  1. S. R. Larter
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Geology and Geophysics, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA

    Michael H. Engel

  2. Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA

    Stephen A. Macko

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Larter, S.R., Horsfield, B. (1993). Determination of Structural Components of Kerogens by the Use of Analytical Pyrolysis Methods. In: Engel, M.H., Macko, S.A. (eds) Organic Geochemistry. Topics in Geobiology, vol 11. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-2890-6_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-2890-6_13

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  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-6252-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-2890-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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