Curtisite, idrialite and pendletonite, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon minerals: Their composition and origin

doi:10.1016/0009-2541(75)90064-9

Chemical Geology

Volume 16, Issue 4, December 1975, Pages 245-256

https://doi.org/10.1016/0009-2541(75)90064-9 Get rights and content

Abstract

The rare polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon minerals curtisite, pendletonite and idrialite have been analyzed by chromatography, and ultraviolet and mass spectrometry. Pendletonite is nearly pure coronene; the other minerals contain over 30 homologous series of CH, CHS and CHN compounds, with the total number of chemical components well above one hundred. The chemistry of the contributing compounds reflects the origin of the minerals in medium-temperature pyrolysis of organic matter. The components were further modified by extended equilibration at elevated temperatures in the subsurface and by recrystallization during migration. In this last step the high-melting pendletonite achieved its exceptional purity.

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As geochemical appraisals of mineral regions of commercial prospectivity evolve, the organic matter associated with metal rich ores has attracted greater attention. Petroleum basin and modern seafloor hydrothermal vent studies have suggested that organic matter can have a significant influence on the behaviour of mineralising fluids. There have been many isolated reports of certain organic compositional or morphological (e.g. pyrobitumen) features showing an apparent relationships with hydrothermal fluids or minerals, raising expectations that organic based parameters might be useful to mineral exploration. However, the understanding of organic–inorganic relationships in Earth systems is far from complete. For example, the detailed mechanics of the interaction of organics with hydrothermal fluids over geological time remain largely undefined. Organic geochemistry studies have traditionally involved the measurement and interpretation of the hydrocarbon composition of sedimentary rocks. Here we review the types of aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons and metalloporphyrins often detected from organic geochemical investigations in mineral-rich regions. Such molecular data can be particularly diagnostic of biochemical sources and the palaeo-environments at the time mineral associated organic matter was deposited. Sub-surface trends of hydrocarbon alteration may also reflect major biogeochemical processes such as thermal maturity and biodegradation. Organic geochemistry data can also occasionally provide information about the nature (e.g., origin, composition, temperatures) and migration pathways of hydrothermal fluids and can make a contribution to holistic ore genesis models. The well preserved organic matter associated with the economic “Here's Your Chance” Pb–Zn–Ag Mine (Paleoproterozoic Barney Creek Formation, McArthur Basin, Australia) and the transition metal-rich Early Permian Kupferschiefer Formation (Germany–Poland) have attracted significant attention. A more detailed summary of the organic character of these deposits is provided to highlight the contribution organic geochemistry can make to understanding mineralisation processes. Most organic geochemical studies of highly mineralised regions, however, have not adequately addressed the significance of organic matter to mineralisation. A slightly different analytical focus than traditionally used for exploration appraisal of petroleum hydrocarbons may be required to properly evaluate the significance of organic species to the mobilisation, transport and deposition of ore metals. The characterisation and subsequent thermodynamic modeling of organic substances and complexes within metalliferous hydrothermal systems will contribute to a better understanding of the nature and role of organic–inorganic fluids or other affiliated organics in ore systems.
Assessment of Raman spectroscopy as a tool for the non-destructive identification of organic minerals and biomolecules for Mars studies
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Several characteristic geological features found on the surface of Mars by planetary rovers suggest that a possible extinct biosphere could exist based on similar sources of energy as occurred on Earth. For this reason, analytical instrumental protocols for the detection of biomarkers in suitable geological matrices unequivocally have to be elaborated for future unmanned explorations including the forthcoming ESA ExoMars mission. As part of the Pasteur suite of analytical instrumentation on ExoMars, the Raman/LIBS instrument will seek elemental and molecular information about geological, biological and biogeological markers in the Martian record. A key series of experiments on terrestrial Mars analogues, of which this paper addresses a particularly important series of compounds, is required to obtain the Raman spectra of key molecules and crystals, which are characteristic for each biomarker. Here, we present Raman spectra of several examples of organic compounds which have been recorded non-destructively—higher n-alkanes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, carotenoids, salts of organic acids, pure crystalline terpenes as well as oxygen-containing organic compounds. In addition, the lower limit of β-carotene detection in sulphate matrices using Raman microspectroscopy was estimated.
Raman spectroscopy as a tool for the non-destructive identification of organic minerals in the geological record
2008, Organic Geochemistry
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Sediments obtained from three active seafloor hydrothermal areas in the western Pacific Ocean were measured for the abundances and distributions of total fatty acids (TFAs). Approximately 50 fatty acids were identified, with the chain-length ranging from C₉ to C₂₉. The total concentrations of TFAs (∑TFA) show a wide range from 13.2 to 184 μg/g dry sediment. The values of ∑TFA, over 100 μg/g dry sediment, are significantly higher than those reported for non-hydrothermal seafloor sediments. Furthermore, the observed compositions of TFAs are rich in bacterial biomarkers especially monounsaturated fatty acids, which is common to sediments and symbiotic animal tissues from other sites associated with hydrothermal activities. High ratios of ∑TFA to total organic carbon content (TOC) relative to the non-hydrothermal seafloor sediment may also reflect a large contribution of organic matter produced at the vents. Due to the limited sample availability from these environments, the TFA compositions were not enough to evaluate relatedness between the vent sediment and vent animal community, while the wide diversity of TFAs suggests a large variation in source organisms in these hydrothermal environments. This study confirms the high contribution of bacteria and other vent organisms to organic matter in the sediments.

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^☆: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Contribution No. 3512.

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Research paperCurtisite, idrialite and pendletonite, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon minerals: Their composition and origin☆

Abstract

Untersuchungen über hochmoleculare Kohlenwasserstoffe; Über das Pyren

Justus Liebigs Ann. Chem.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils and Recent sediments

Science

Uber das Idryl und das Idrialin

Justus Liebigs Ann. Chem.

Elementary cell and space group of curtisite (idrialite)

Zap. Vses. Mineral. Ova.

Thermodynamic equilibria in prebiological atmospheres

Science

Über Destillation mit Quecksilberdampf und Bildung von Stupp

Ber. Dtsch. Chem. Ges.

Versuche über die Verbindungen von Wasserstoff und Kohlenstoff

Justus Liebigs Ann. Chem.

Curtisite from Trans-Carpathia

Dokl. Akad. Nauk S.S.S.R.

Organic minerals, picene and chrysene as constituents of the mineral curtisite (idrialite)

Experientia

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the environment: isolation and characterization by chromatography, visible, ultraviolet and mass spectrometry

Anal. Chem.

Über das Idryl

Chem. Ber.

Research paper
Curtisite, idrialite and pendletonite, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon minerals: Their composition and origin☆