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Generation of compositionally atypical hydrocarbons in CO2-rich geologic environments.

Research output: Contribution to Journal/MagazineJournal articlepeer-review

Published
  • Andrew Gize
  • Ray Macdonald
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<mark>Journal publication date</mark>1993
<mark>Journal</mark>Geology
Issue number2
Volume21
Number of pages4
Pages (from-to)129-132
Publication StatusPublished
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

Bitumen seepages from a trachyte flow on the Suswa volcano (East African Rift) are anomalously enriched in O and N heteroatomic organic compounds and depleted in aliphatics. Compositional and geologic data suggest that the biogenically derived bitumens were extracted and/or transported by liquid or supercritical CO2, rather than H2O, possibly from caldera-lake sediments. Compositionally atypical hydrocarbons and reduced carbon associated with other alkaline-peralkaline igneous complexes, as well as Hg and Au deposits, may also reflect CO2, fluids. Hydrocarbon extraction and migration in CO2-rich fluids are considered realistic mechanisms in certain geologic environments.