Biomarkers or not biomarkers? A new hypothesis for the origin of pristane involving derivation from methyltrimethyltridecylchromans (MTTCs) formed during diagenesis from chlorophyll and alkylphenols

Li, Maowen; Larter, Stephen R.; Taylor, Paul N.; Jones, Dorian P; Bowler, Bernard; Bjorøy, Malvin

doi:10.1016/0146-6380(94)00112-e

Cited by 97 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 18 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…A further study by Van Kaam-Peters and Sinninghe Damsté [14] revealed another potential source for MTTCs: photosynthetic bacteria via the Calvin cycle; which was evidenced by the molecular distributions and stable carbon isotope compositions of MTTCs and other biomarkers. In contrast to the results reported by the Sinninghe Damsté group, Li et al [8] suggested that the MTTCs may be derived from condensation of alkylphenols and phytol from chlorophyll during diagenesis, and this was supported by the chemical synthetic routes of the artificial MTTCs. The problem associated with this hypothesis is that there are limited numbers of structural isomers of MTTCs in geological setting, and consequently, this hypothesis is less attractive [9].…”

contrasting

confidence: 54%

“…aromatic terpenoids from higher plants, aromatic steroids, methyl-phenanthrene, alkylated naphthalene, and aromatic isoprenoids compounds), have been widely used as indicators of organic source, depositional environments and the thermal maturity of organic matter. In particular, a series of methylated isoprenoid chroman compounds (methylated 2-methyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl) chromans (MTTCs)) present in aromatic fractions, have been given considerable attention because of their application to water paleosalinity evaluation [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. The MTTCs can be regarded as dehydroxy products of tocopherol.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Stable carbon isotope compositions of isoprenoid chromans in Cenozoic saline lacustrine source rocks from the Western Qaidam Basin, NW China: Source implications

et al. 2011

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Although the distribution of mono-, di-and trimethylated 2-methyl-2-(4,8,12-Trimethyltrideeyl) chromans (MTTCs) is well understood as an indicator of water salinity, their origin and formation mechanism are still ambiguous and under debate. In this paper, abnormally high levels of MTTCs were detected in Cenozoic saline lacustrine source rocks from the Western Qaidam Basin. Using a two-step column chromatography method, the MTTCs and naphthalenes were separated from other aromatic compounds and concentrated in one fraction, so that the stable carbon isotope compositions of these compounds could be accurately measured. Similar carbon isotope ratios for the mono-, di-and trimethylated 2-methyl-2-(4,8,12-Trimethyltrideeyl) chromans in a given sample suggest the MTTCs may share the same biological source(s). The MTTCs from the Western Qaidam Basin have similar carbon isotope compositions to primary producer-derived pristane and phytane. However, the  13 C values for the MTTCs showed significant differences with other primary producers-derived biomarkers (e.g. C 27 and C 29 steranes), probably indicating a distinct microalgae source from specific niches for the MTTC compounds. We speculate that the MTTCs distribution patterns may be controlled by the water chemistry dynamics in niches, which, in turn, is affected by hypersaline bottom water.

show abstract

contrasting

confidence: 54%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Stable carbon isotope compositions of isoprenoid chromans in Cenozoic saline lacustrine source rocks from the Western Qaidam Basin, NW China: Source implications

et al. 2011

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Sinninghe Damsté and co-workers proposed a biological origin, possibly from eubacteria or archaea (Sinninghe Damsté et al, 1987;de Leeuw and Sinninghe Damsté, 1990;Kenig et al, 1995), while other studies suggest that they may be formed abiotically from biological precursors during diagenesis (Li et al, 1995;Lu et al, 2007). Consequently, the use of MTTCs as indicators of paleosalinity is ambiguous.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Paleosalinity significance of occurrence and distribution of methyltrimethyltridecyl chromans in the Upper Cretaceous Nenjiang Formation, Songliao Basin, China

Wang

Song

Yin

et al. 2011

Organic Geochemistry

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…These compounds could have been generated from archaebacterial membrane lipids [24]. Additionally, pristane may also originate from tocopherols [25] and methyltrimethyltridecylchromans (MTTC) [26]. Considering the various sources of pristane and phytane, Rontani, et al [27] have suggested that Pr/Ph as redox indicator should be applied with care, because the results are not always reliable.…”

Section: Depositional Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Depositional Environment of the Sangkarewang Oil Shale, Ombilin Basin, Indonesia

2014

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. Five samples from a 56 m long drill core that was recovered from the lacustrine Sangkarewang oil shale have been studied by means of petrography and organic geochemistry in order to investigate the organic matter composition and depositional environment of the shale. The organic matter consisted of abundant lamalginite (30%, v/v) and a very limited amount of vitrinite, suggesting an aquatic depositional environment with minor terrestrial influence. Organic geochemical analysis exhibited the dominance of pristane, phytane, and generally n-alkane compounds. These compounds may have originated mostly from aquatic photosynthetic organisms. The oil shale was likely deposited in an anoxic lake environment as suggested by the presence of framboidal pyrite (6%, v/v) and preserved organic matter with a total organic carbon (TOC) percentage of about 4.9%. The pristane/phytane ratio was relatively high (about 3.9) and thought to be source sensitive rather than redox sensitive. Hopanoid and aryl isoprenoid compounds were present in minor amounts. The latter compounds are interpreted to be derived from green sulfur bacteria dwelling in an anoxic environment with the presence of H 2 S in bottom water.

show abstract

Biomarkers or not biomarkers? A new hypothesis for the origin of pristane involving derivation from methyltrimethyltridecylchromans (MTTCs) formed during diagenesis from chlorophyll and alkylphenols

Cited by 97 publications

References 18 publications

Stable carbon isotope compositions of isoprenoid chromans in Cenozoic saline lacustrine source rocks from the Western Qaidam Basin, NW China: Source implications

Stable carbon isotope compositions of isoprenoid chromans in Cenozoic saline lacustrine source rocks from the Western Qaidam Basin, NW China: Source implications

Paleosalinity significance of occurrence and distribution of methyltrimethyltridecyl chromans in the Upper Cretaceous Nenjiang Formation, Songliao Basin, China

Depositional Environment of the Sangkarewang Oil Shale, Ombilin Basin, Indonesia

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About