Early Hydrocarbon Generation of Algae and Influences of Inorganic Environments during Low Temperature Simulation

Abstract

Algae were simulated for 5 years at low temperature (80°C) in order to study their early hydrocarbon generation processes. The samples were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results show that the range of carbon numbers and relative concentrations of alkanes are different under different simulated conditions. Hypersaline condition favors the formation and maturity of saturates. Iron ion probably delays the evolutionary pathways from phytol to phytene to phyane, while may catalyse the release of high concentrations of squalene and bicyclic terpanes. Meanwhile, common aromatic compounds have been formed during this low temperature simulation, and high abundant methyldibenzothiophenes were found in the hypersaline sample. The formation pathways of methylnaphthalenes in the early evolution of algae were proposed tentatively. By mathematical cluster and factor analyses on some classical thermal maturity parameters, the converted relations between phenanthrene and methylphenanthrenes and their inorganic environmental effects were discussed.