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Lookup NU author(s): Professor Stephen Larter
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The significance and validity of integrating data obtained from a variety of analytical techniques to understand, elucidate and model kerogen's complex chemical structure is reported here using degradative (open and closed system pyrolysis, chemical oxidation), non-degradative (C-13 CP/MAS NMR) and optical (incident white light and blue light) methods. Seven Cambrian Alum Shale samples, ranging in maturity from immature to post-mature with respect to petroleum generation, were studied and were chosen for their simple geological history, uniform organic matter type and high organic carbon content. The Alum Shale kerogens, which primarily consist of algal organic matter, liberate low molecular weight gaseous and aromatic compounds on pyrolysis and give mostly branched dicarboxylic acids on chemical oxidation. C-13 NMR spectroscopy shows that the Alum Shale kerogens are anomalously rich in oxygen-bearing functional groups (such as C = O, ArCO, CHO, CHxO), most of which apparently remain intact within the kerogen macro-molecule (KMM) through the diagenetic and catagenetic stages. Fragments released by different degradative techniques are quantified and the aromaticity (f(a)), O/C and relative proportions of various carbon types estimated by C-13 NMR. A synthesis of these data has allowed us to better understand the chemistry of the Alum Shale kerogen. (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd
Author(s): Bharati S, Patience RL, Larter SR, Standen G, Poplett IJF
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Organic Geochemistry
Year: 1995
Volume: 23
Issue: 11-12
Pages: 1043-1058
Print publication date: 01/11/1995
ISSN (print): 0146-6380
ISSN (electronic): 1873-5290
Publisher: Pergamon
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0146-6380(95)00089-5
DOI: 10.1016/0146-6380(95)00089-5
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