Sedimentary 24-n-propylcholestanes, molecular fossils diagnostic of marine algae

J. Michael Moldowan; Frederick J. Fago; Cathy Y. Lee; Stephen R. Jacobson; David S. Watt; Nacer Eddine Slougui; Alwarsamy Jeganathan; Donald C. Young

Sedimentary 24-n-propylcholestanes, molecular fossils diagnostic of marine algae

J. Michael Moldowan, Frederick J. Fago, Cathy Y. Lee, Stephen R. Jacobson, David S. Watt, Nacer Eddine Slougui, Alwarsamy Jeganathan, Donald C. Young

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry

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244 Scopus citations

Abstract

Certain C₃₀-steranes have been used for identifying sedimentary rocks and crude oils derived from organic matter deposited in marine environments. Analysis of a C₃₀-sterane from Prudhoe Bay oil indicates that these C₃₀-steranes are 24-n-propylcholestanes that apparently are derived from precursor sterols 24-n-propylidene-cholesterols and 24-n-propylcholesterol. These widely occurring sterols are biochemically synthesized in modern oceans by members of an order (Sarcinochrysidales) of chrysophyte algae. These data thus imply that C₃₀-sterane biomarkers in sedimentary rocks and crude oils have a marine origin. Screening of a few organic-rich sedimentary rocks and oils from throughout the Phanerozoic suggests that these C₃₀-steranes first appeared and, therefore, their source algae evolved between Early Ordovician and Devonian.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	309-312
Number of pages	4
Journal	Science
Volume	247
Issue number	4940
State	Published - Jan 19 1990

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Cite this

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title = "Sedimentary 24-n-propylcholestanes, molecular fossils diagnostic of marine algae",

abstract = "Certain C30-steranes have been used for identifying sedimentary rocks and crude oils derived from organic matter deposited in marine environments. Analysis of a C30-sterane from Prudhoe Bay oil indicates that these C30-steranes are 24-n-propylcholestanes that apparently are derived from precursor sterols 24-n-propylidene-cholesterols and 24-n-propylcholesterol. These widely occurring sterols are biochemically synthesized in modern oceans by members of an order (Sarcinochrysidales) of chrysophyte algae. These data thus imply that C30-sterane biomarkers in sedimentary rocks and crude oils have a marine origin. Screening of a few organic-rich sedimentary rocks and oils from throughout the Phanerozoic suggests that these C30-steranes first appeared and, therefore, their source algae evolved between Early Ordovician and Devonian.",

author = "Moldowan, {J. Michael} and Fago, {Frederick J.} and Lee, {Cathy Y.} and Jacobson, {Stephen R.} and Watt, {David S.} and Slougui, {Nacer Eddine} and Alwarsamy Jeganathan and Young, {Donald C.}",

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T1 - Sedimentary 24-n-propylcholestanes, molecular fossils diagnostic of marine algae

AU - Moldowan, J. Michael

AU - Fago, Frederick J.

AU - Lee, Cathy Y.

AU - Jacobson, Stephen R.

AU - Watt, David S.

AU - Slougui, Nacer Eddine

AU - Jeganathan, Alwarsamy

AU - Young, Donald C.

PY - 1990/1/19

Y1 - 1990/1/19

N2 - Certain C30-steranes have been used for identifying sedimentary rocks and crude oils derived from organic matter deposited in marine environments. Analysis of a C30-sterane from Prudhoe Bay oil indicates that these C30-steranes are 24-n-propylcholestanes that apparently are derived from precursor sterols 24-n-propylidene-cholesterols and 24-n-propylcholesterol. These widely occurring sterols are biochemically synthesized in modern oceans by members of an order (Sarcinochrysidales) of chrysophyte algae. These data thus imply that C30-sterane biomarkers in sedimentary rocks and crude oils have a marine origin. Screening of a few organic-rich sedimentary rocks and oils from throughout the Phanerozoic suggests that these C30-steranes first appeared and, therefore, their source algae evolved between Early Ordovician and Devonian.

AB - Certain C30-steranes have been used for identifying sedimentary rocks and crude oils derived from organic matter deposited in marine environments. Analysis of a C30-sterane from Prudhoe Bay oil indicates that these C30-steranes are 24-n-propylcholestanes that apparently are derived from precursor sterols 24-n-propylidene-cholesterols and 24-n-propylcholesterol. These widely occurring sterols are biochemically synthesized in modern oceans by members of an order (Sarcinochrysidales) of chrysophyte algae. These data thus imply that C30-sterane biomarkers in sedimentary rocks and crude oils have a marine origin. Screening of a few organic-rich sedimentary rocks and oils from throughout the Phanerozoic suggests that these C30-steranes first appeared and, therefore, their source algae evolved between Early Ordovician and Devonian.

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Sedimentary 24-n-propylcholestanes, molecular fossils diagnostic of marine algae

Abstract

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

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