Geochemistry and petrography of organic matter in Cretaceous sediments from the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, Deep Sea Drilling Project Hole 535 - preliminary results.

Abstract

All 3 samples contain mixed kerogen Type II/III organic matter with a maturity corresponding to about 0.4% vitrinite reflectance. The marine component increases with stratigraphic age, and microbial reworking of the organic matter is significant in each age. The lower two samples of Hauterivian to Valanginian age appear to be impregnated (or contaminated) with soluble polar organic compounds, but there is only a weak indication for the presence of more mature, nonindigenous hydrocarbons. -from Authors