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Aliphatic hydrocarbons in sediments from Prydz Bay, Antarctica

Keith A. Kvenvolden·Frances D. Hostettler·J. B. Rapp·Tamara Frank
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Abstract

High molecular weight aliphatic hydrocarbons were extracted from sediments at two sites (741 and 742) drilled during ODP Leg 119 in Prydz Bay. The distributions of n-alkanes and triterpenoid and steroid hydrocarbons suggest that the n- alkanes and steranes are mainly of terrestrial origin and that the hydrocarbons are immature to slightly mature in the Lower Cretaceous sediments and immature to mature in the Tertiary sediments. At Site 741, the Lower Cretaceous depositional sequence, which is generally characterized by immature hydrocarbons, is interrupted by sediment having more mature components, suggesting a change of source during part of Early Cretaceous time. At Site 742, the mature geochemical parameters of a Pliocene sample correlate with results reported elsewhere for Site 739. In all but one of the other Tertiary samples, the geochemical parameters indicate intermediate maturity. The Lower Cretaceous and Pliocene sediments average about 1.9% organic carbon, a value of interest from the point of view of potential sources of petroleum offshore of Antarctica.

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Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program: Scientific ResultsArticle
90° N90° S · 180° W ← longitude → 180° E
Source-reported bounding extent: -72.60712040027553° to -65.07213008560696° latitude; 59.0625° to 102.65625° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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BibTeXRIS

Keith A. Kvenvolden, Frances D. Hostettler, J. B. Rapp, Tamara Frank. 1988. Aliphatic hydrocarbons in sediments from Prydz Bay, Antarctica. https://doi.org/10.2973/odp.proc.sr.119.210.1991

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