Study of the Structure of Benzene- and Alcohol–Benzene-Extractable Resins and Kerogen of Rock Organic Matter (By Example of Bazhenovo Formation Rocks from the North of the Gyda Peninsula)

Abstract

Mild thermolysis of benzene- and alcohol–benzene-extracted resins and kerogen of the organic matter of Bazhenovo Formation rocks from the northern part of the Gyda Peninsula has been carried out. It has been revealed that macromolecular compounds of the benzene and alcohol–benzene resins and kerogen contain, as moieties, the homologous series of C₁₀–C₄₀n-alkanes, isoprenanes, C₁₀–C₃₀n-alkylcyclohexanes, and C₁₀–C₃₀n-alkylbenzenes; steranes; and terpanes found in crude oils. It has been shown that despite the difference in polarity of the benzene and alcohol–benzene resins, the relative distribution of hydrocarbon biomarkers in thermolysis products is close and differs from that in kerogen thermolysis products. The maturity of benzene and alcohol–benzene resins according to the sterane and terpane indexes is much lower than that of kerogen. As a result of the thermolysis of the resins of both types and kerogen, the unsaturated compounds isoprenene and squalene have been found, and oleanane was found in the thermolysis products of the alcohol–benzene resins. The pattern of distribution of n-alkanes and isoprenanes in the products of thermolysis of resins and kerogen is similar to that observed in the soluble part and in the thermolysates of Thermoplasma sp. archaea biomass in our previous study.