The fractionation of a Recent sediment for organic geochemical analysis |
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| Authors: | S Thompson G Eglinton |
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| Institution: | Organic Geochemistry Unit, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, England |
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| Abstract: | A Recent unconsolidated lacustrine sediment was separated into five size fractions which were characterized by microscopy and XRD. Higher plant detritus predominated in the coarsest fractions, but decreased in proportion in the intermediate ones in which algal debris was predominant. The overall proportion of organic debris decreased from coarse to fine fractions. Quartz and feldspar were most abundant in the intermediate size fractions, while the coarsest fraction contained chlorite with some kaolinite and quartz, and the finest fraction was composed mainly of illite.Concentrations (per fraction dry weight) of solvent extract, total long chain hydrocarbons and total fatty acids decreased from coarse to fine fractions, with the exception of the finest fraction, in which they showed an increase. The change in relative abundance of higher plant to algal debris in the coarse and intermediate size fractions was paralleled by a decrease in the relative abundance of n-C29 and n-C31 alkanes and an increase in the relative abundance of -C17 alkane. There was a progressive decrease in n-alkane carbon preference index, and a progressive increase in the unresolved envelope of hydrocarbons with decreasing grain size. The unresolved hydrocarbons, which probably originate from biodegraded lubricating oil, appear to be associated with the clay fraction. Fractionation in this way and lipid analysis of the separate fractions may give more definitive information about input sources than analysis of unfractionated sediments. |
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