Organic geochemistry of late Cenozoic sediments from the subtropical South Atlantic Ocean

• Published in: Marine Geology
• Main Authors: Keswani, Sushiel R., Dunham, Keith W., Meyers, Philip A.
• Other Authors: Oceanography Program, Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, U.S.A.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 1984
• Subjects: Geology and Earth Sciences; Science; South Atlantic Ocean
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/24671; http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V6M-4893YTP-J8/2/1aca4013c1c6c7a0c9193f02f4e508af; https://doi.org/10.1016/0025-3227(84)90106-3

Organic matter has been characterized in samples of Pleistocene, Pliocene, and Miocene sediments from seven Deep Sea Drilling Project sites in the subtropical South Atlantic Ocean. Organic carbon concentrations average 0.3% for most samples, and n-alkanoic acid, n-alkanol, and alkane biomarkers indicate extensive microbial reworking of organic matter in these organic-carbon-lean sediments. Samples from the easternmost parts of the South Atlantic contain an average of 4.1% organic carbon and reflect the high productivity associated with the Benguela Current. Lipid biomarkers show less microbial reworking in these sediments. Eolian transport of land-derived hydrocarbons is evident at most of these oceanic locations. Peer Reviewed http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/24671/1/0000090.pdf