Origin and fate of polar compounds in geologic systems

 

Sedimentary organic matter forms the base of hydrocarbon systems in the Earth’s deep underground. Despite their quantitative importance for the organic matter, the origin and fate of polar and high molecular weight (HMW, e.g. asphaltenes) organic compounds in geologic systems are by far less well understood than those of the associated hydrocarbons. Our focus in this research area is placed on the understanding of occurrence, composition and transformation of polar compound classes and of the involved biotic and abiotic degradation and maturation processes. This includes studies on geosynthetic mechanisms leading to the de novo formation of polar compounds in geologic systems. Polar compound types are expected to have a strong effect on the viscosity of petroleum fluids and to play a crucial role in partitioning of organic components in oil-water-rock systems. Natural calibration series will help to disclose maturation related changes in the organic matter composition. In addition to newly-developed sample preparation and fractionation procedures, a new ultra-high resolution mass spectrometer for soluble components (FT-ICR-MS) will be used to examine the compositional changes of polar and HMW organic compounds. Furthermore, the MALDI-FT-ICR-MS technique will allow the molecular imaging of biogeochemical and geological samples.

Ongoing Projects:  

• Organic matter evolution from oil sands to tailing sands used in land reclamation
• Mechanistic investigations on the pathway of n-alkane oxidation in anaerobic bacteria 

Specific Topics:  

• Composition and transformation of OM  
  • Focus on polar and HMW organic compounds
  • Geosynthesis of polar compounds
  • Transformation of asphaltenes

• Natural calibration series (New Zealand coals, Bakken shale, Posidonia shale, Carboniferous coals from Ruhr area, crude oil biodegradation sequences, ...)
• New analytical tools  
  • Sample preparation and fractionation
  • Ultra-high resolution MS of soluble components by FT-ICR-MS (ESI, APPI, APCI)
  • Molecular imaging of biogeochemical and geological samples using MALDI-FT-ICR-MS (and/or SIMS)