Multi-Molecular Characterization of Complex Matrices for the Detection of Geochemical Processes

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Sedimentary organic matter is preserved and modified in the Earth's subsurface. This material contains unique assemblages of hydrocarbons with enough geochemical information to be linked to once living organisms and thus facilitates paleoecological and geochemical reconstructions of past depositional environments. Unfortunately, much of this information is never realized due to the complex matrix with which it is embedded. With the development of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCGC), the ability to spatially separate analytes within volatile, complex organic matrices have improved by an order of magnitude. Advanced chemometric approaches have necessarily been developed to more completely capture the structural differences residing within and between complex fluid compositions.******These technologies and the development of new methodologies will be used within the applicant's research program to track known and yet to be discovered biological markers; but more importantly, they will enable the investigation of multi-molecular changes within natural occurring complex organic mixtures to better understand past biotic systems, organic matter preservation pathways, the role of the deep biosphere, and factors leading to the formation of active petroleum systems. Targeted research projects will develop and utilize novel analytical techniques and the unique conditions of sedimented hydrothermal systems in the Guaymas Basin, Gulf of California to holistically resolve hydrocarbon transformation pathways. This effort will facilitate the first step in assessing the deep biosphere's impact on the composition of sedimentary organic matter through geologic time. The knowledge gained from the resulting advances will be extended to conventional petroleum producing basins. As a test of these techniques, source rock bitumens and reservoir fluids within the Scotian margin and Grand Banks will be studied to better define depositional controls on organic matter formation and preservation and basin fluid generation histories that can be linked to the conjugate western Iberian margin.******The research proposed spans 6 distinct projects that will create HQP (4 MSc and 2 PhD students) with competency in organic geochemistry, petroleum geochemistry and regional petroleum geology. HQP will be able to tailor their knowledge toward new research problems in future careers. The research program will improve our understanding of the deep biosphere impact on the carbon cycle and provide the Atlantic region with a robust system for holistically interrogating the molecular compositions of volatile organic substrates in modified conventional and unconventional geological settings. The research activities will provide revised generation, oil-source rock characterization, and genetic oil family models that can be integrated into future predictive models of oil formation.**