Evidence of stability of sedimentary organic matter during bacterial desilicification of an oil shale

Abstract

Aleksinac oil shale organic matter appeared to remain unchanged, according to elemental, IR, P-GC and P-GC-MS analytical characterization, after exposure to Bacillus circulans-Jordan desilicification for 30 days. These experiments indicate that "siliceous bacteria" may have potential as an alternative, "biochemical agent" for the isolation of native kerogen, and justify further efforts toward continuedevaluation of this advantageous process.