Geochemical Characteristics of Saturated Hydrocarbons from Strata Inferred from the Multitubular Cores of the Prydz Bay and the Sources/Environmental Variations

The content and distribution of saturated hydrocarbons (n-alkanes,isoprenoid,steranes and terpanes) in the multitubular cores ANT29-M2 from the Prydz Bay of the Antarctic were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry,and the organic matter sources,sedimentary environments and geochemical parameters of the sediments were discussed.The results showed that the carbon number of the multitubular samples ANT29-M2 was between C14 and C32 with low-carbon single peak group and main peak carbon of C18 .n-alkane gas charomatography fingerprint spectra indicated that unmixable complex compounds displayed a significant bulge,and the obvious UCM shape suggested a large input of bacteria.The ∑C21^-/∑C22^+ values varied from 1.82 to 3.9,and C21^+C22 /C28 ^+C 29 values ranged from 1.26 to 6.30,indicating that the sedimentary organic matter mainly originated from marine algae.The CPI and OEP values varied from 1.54 to 2.29 and from 4.48 to 4.82,respectively,with a significant odd even predominance.Pr/Ph values ranged from 0.34 to 0.76,significantly smaller than 1,with a clear distribution of C29 >C27 >C28 and C27 >C29 >C28 for regular steranes and a V-shaped C29 predominance and C27 predominance.This indicated that the sedimentary organic matter in the Prydz Bay originated from a mixed marine/continental source,and was deposited under a strongly reducing environment.The maturity parameters of the sedimentary strata from the Prydz Bay displayed significant inconsistency.Geochemical parameters of hopane C 32 22S/C 32 (22S+22R) and sterane C 29 αββ/(αββ+ααα) suggested a high maturity,but other geochemical parameters such as C29 ααα20S/C29 ααα(20S+20R),CPI and OEP reflected that those of columnar strata were within the range of modern marine sediments (lowly mature to immature),probably resulting from the development of microorganisms.