Terpanes and steranes in coals of different genetic types in Siberia

Abstract

Abstract Chloroform extracts of coals from different genetic groups and different ages have been studied by chromato-mass-spectrometry, namely, Devonian liptobioliths from the Barzas region (Kuznetsk Basin) and Lower Cretaceous humites and sapropelites from the Kangalas and Taimylyr deposits, respectively (Lena Coal Basin). It has been established that the most ancient Devonian liptobioliths formed in coastal environments. Lipids of different biotas of marine and continental genesis, including resins of early Conifers, were the source of biomarker molecules. The Mesozoic humic and sapropelic coals differ little in chemofossil biomarkers, which might be related to their significant bacterial transformation and biosynthesis of chemofossils mainly by prokaryotes.